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 till two, and it really was the gayest-looking ball I have seen. At all events, it gave satisfaction to the parties concerned. The early part of the week we were alone.

We were much occupied in nursing Fanny’s bird, which was a very pretty creature that Major Byrne got for her from a New South Wales friend, and it talked and sang and whistled, and was very clever; but no foreign birds will live in the Bengal climate. We have lost such quantities in the menagerie; and notwithstanding all our nursing of poor Joey, he died on Thursday in a fit. It is a great pity, as he was such a clever bird, and quite a new discovery.

Monday, December 19. The ‘Repulse’ goes to-night, and as we try all ways of writing, I will send this by her; and we have sent yesterday overland some single letters. We do so want to hear again from you. We have nothing later than the 1st August (except two or three newspapers; but they only made letters more desirable). Four months and a half unaccounted for; and, altogether, I want you to come in your letter, and as many children as it will hold besides. Calcutta now Rh