Editorial Preface.—_Letter for 1867._—Not Tanna but Aniwa.—“Missi Paton _versus_ Teapots.”—The Humour of Taia.—Evening Village-Prayers.—“Make him _Bokis_ Sing.”—My Sewing Class.—“That no Gammon.”—“Talk Biritania.”—The Marriage of Kahi.... _Letter for 1869._—First Communicants on Aniwa.—Mungaw and the Mission Boys.—The Blessing of the _Dayspring_.... _Letter for 1874._—Home to Aniwa.—“Taking Possession.”—“Another Soul Committed to our Care.”—Hutshi and her Lover.—Six Missionaries on Aniwa.... _Letter for 1875._—Missi Paton and “Joseph” and the Tannese.—A Tropical Hurricane.—The Disgrace and Sale of Hutshi.—Taia Baited by Nalihi.—Earthquakes and Tidal Waves.—Farewells.... _Letter for 1878._—A Madman at Large.—The Passing of Yawaci.—The Madness and Death of Mungaw.—Our Native Elders.—Music on the Waters.—A Wicked Vow.... _Letter for 1879._—New Year’s Day on Aniwa.—A Miserable Slaver.—Litsi Married Again.—Mission Synod on Erromanga.—Tragic and Holy Memories.—Day-Light on Tanna.—Pigs in Galore.—Arrowroot for Jehovah.
[The Editor takes upon himself the responsibility of presenting here a picture of life among the New Hebrideans, as portrayed by the graphic and gifted pen of Mrs. John G. Paton.
His only regret is that the exigencies of space compel him to give mere _fragments_ of these Letters, instead of the full-flowing descriptions, which have led him to regard them as amongst the most charming pieces of Missionary literature with which he has become acquainted.
He apologizes also to that dear lady herself for the liberty he is thus taking with her “Family Epistles,”—written for the delight of her inner circle of friends, and for their eyes alone. He is well aware that if she were at his side, instead of being in the New Hebrides, while he is sending these pages to press, nothing would probably induce her to give her consent to this appearance in print. But he trusts that her wrath will be assuaged, when she returns to the Colonies and learns how the Christian Public approve in this respect of what her friend has done.
The Editor makes no apology to the reader for this break in the flow of the story, or even for re-touching one or two scenes that are past, for he already instinctively knows that even these fragments will be appreciated, as a great enrichment to the Autobiography which he has been privileged to introduce to them.]
(1867.)