Aneityum. a4 
(3 
green foliage — the mission store and a native’s house 
‘along the beach; while on the hill above is the house of Lathella, 
the chief, and near it that in which the family of Captain Fraser, 
late of the “‘ Dayspring,” used to reside. The mission house itself 
is not visible, being hidden by the intervening trees and shrubs, 
but it is situated a little way to the right of the church. (See 
Frontispiece.) 
The population of Aneityum is now estimated at 1500—just 
half what it was thirteen or fourteen years ago. This frightful 
depopulation is said to be due, mainly, to foreign diseases, such 
as measles, hooping-cough, diphtheria, &c., brought to the island 
by trading vessels. 
These epidemics sweep off the natives by the hundred; in. 
one case a third of the whole population being cut off in the 
space of three months. They have no strength of constitution 
to withstand such attacks, and they cannot take the usual 
means for the prevention and cure of them. 
During the last few years, however, according to the census 
taken by the missionaries, there is a turn in the right direction ; 
and probably, could epidemic diseases be kept out of the island, 
the extinction of the people, which for some time seemed im- 
.minent, would be warded off. 
But I must now resume my narrative. Last letter was con- 
cluded with the announcement of our arrival in Anelcauhat 
harbour, and with a slight description of the character of the 
scenery which surrounds it. The anchor was not long down, 
before the boats were lowered and we were landed on the 
beach. What a delightful sensation it was, to tread the serra 
firma again, after those weeks of ceaseless motion and confine- 
ment; how fresh, and green, and beautiful everything appeared 
to our eyes, accustomed of late only to the flatand monotonous 
- surface of the watery waste. We sniffed the balmy airs, wan- 
dering leisurely under the palm and the orange tree, and were 
