excitement of a life in the wilds would make amends for 
tlie absence of the comforts and luxury of life at home. 
I am afraid that many of our friends and relations were 
rather shocked and alarmed at my wife undertaking such 
an expedition ; some dreading the long sea voyages, others 
the wagon travelling, the proposed excursion on foot into 
the game district, the fever, the natives, the absence of 
a doctor, the distance from letters, and other rather 
imaginary terrors; but though sometimes we were a 
little staggered by the alarming prophesies as to our 
probable fate, we persisted in our plan, and began to 
make the necessary preparations. The result will shew 
how far the forebodings on the one side, and the antici- 
pated pleasure on the other, were realized; but I can 
only say I wish the trip was in the future instead of the 
past. 
Coulsdon, 
September, 1874. 
