130 Letter VII. 
with the carpenter at their head, and the ground was cleared of 
the heavy timber and scrub with which it was covered. The 
frame and boards were brought from Aneityum, and quickly 
were rattled up, no one wielding the hammer and axe to more 
purpose than Mr. McDonald himself. Two weeks after we 
had arrived in the harbour, Mr. and Mrs. McDonald took 
possession of their house. It consisted of two rooms, with a 
verandah at front and back, and two native houses behind— 
one for a kitchen, the other for a store. The house has a nice 
situation on a point, and commands a view both up and down 
the harbour, and out to sea through the centre channel. 
Whether it will prove a healthy locality or not remains to be 
seen. 
Going from Havannah Harbour, we called at Nguna and 
Two Hills, reaching the island of Ambrim on the 18th of July. 
Our object in calling at this island was to land upon it six 
Ambrim natives who had been working on Tana for a trader, 
and who had been left there by him unpaid and unprovided 
for. They had been cared for by Mr. Watt, the missionary, 
for some time, and were now being returned to their own island 
by the mission vessel. 
Ambrim is one of the richest and most beautiful islands in 
the South Pacific. One gentleman, Mr. Murray, speaking of it, 
says that he has “‘seen many beautiful islands, both in Eastern 
and Western Polynesia, but one more lovely than the island 
just named he never beheld.” 
“I had looked forward to seeing the gem of the New Hebrides, 
as it is sometimes called ; but, unfortunately, the gem would 
not condescend to show itself. In the middle of the island 
there is a lofty hill, over 3000 feet high; and this hill is a 
‘volcano, in full activity, pouring forth a continuous stream of 
smoke and darkening the air all around. It was engaged in 
