take a glance at its contents, which thus ran:--

"Dear Jack,--Since I cannot tear myself away from this Eden, though
had I a pair of wings I would do so for a brief space, to see how you
are getting on on board the little brig, I must beg you to be content
with the few lines I have the time to write, before our sable
`Mercury' starts for Kingston. I am, as you may suspect, supremely
happy. Stella has recovered her spirits, and every day becomes more
attractive. It is beautiful to see her watch over my young kinsman
Archy, who is slowly recovering from his dangerous wound. The doctor
says that had it not been for her watchful care he would have
succumbed to the fever, which attacked him after his arrival here.

"You ask me when our marriage is to take place. Stella will not hear
of it; her father's death is too recent; and she will not tempt me
away from my duty, for she thinks that if I became a married man I
shall wish to remain on shore; and I cannot help acknowledging that,
in that respect, she is right. She wants me, at all events, to serve
as a commander till I obtain a post-rank; and her kind friends here
offer her a home till she has one of her own.

"I long for the time, however, when I may take her to Scotland as my
bride and present her to my family. In truth, though I have often
fancied that nothing would make me wish to leave the navy, I have
begun to meditate doing so rather than be separated from her.
Perhaps, however, I may be able to persuade her to yield to my wishes,
and as the _Tudor_ will probably remain on the station, I shall
constantly be returning to port and be able to enjoy her society.

"I am sure, you say, to get command of the corvette, provided Grafton
goes home; and the doctors say that there is no chance of his
recovering out here.

"Stella desires to be kindly remembered to you, as do all your friends
at Saint David's. You have won their hearts, I assure you, and they
will be happy to see you whenever you return to Jamaica.

"They press me to remain here till I am ordered to join the ship; and
as you may suppose, I am perfectly happy to accept their hospitality.

"My cousin Archy desires to be remembered to those young reefers, your
brother Tom and Desmond. I hope some day to be among them and assist
in keeping them out of mischief. Give my kind regards to Terence, and
believe me,

"Your very aff