Then the long stretches of rice fields, and again more avenues of palms, with here and there a lovely pool by the wayside--all this I cannot here describe.

But most wonderful of all is the monsoon which rages over the country, wrapping the earth sometimes in sheets of lightning which turn sea, sky and earth to one vivid world of flame.

The wind is dry and parching, so that all windows are kept carefully closed at night; but, indeed, the mosquitoes are sufficient excuse for that.

I have seen nothing of Colliver and Railton.
"Dec.

31st .-- New Year's Eve, and, as I hope, the dawn of brighter days for us, dear wife.