Saturday, May 10th

Fine calm N.E. weather. At twelve o'clock took Mr and Mrs Russell over to the Island; though the wind was fair she objected to the sail and I did not press it though it forced me to row all the way back and forward. Mrs Russell was delighted with our house and its position, and planted some larch seeds in honour of the visit of the first white woman to Quail Island. She took great pains preparing the ground and paling it in with laths. We had a pleasant chatty day with her. Brought over a hearthstone for the sitting-room. Bayliss beginning to plaster the kitchen. Griffin was yesterday presented with a son and heir. Today on enquiring at the Post Office, found a long pleasant letter from Mauritius from Sophia and Rawson. Both congratulated me on the state of affairs with Mary King, though they fear of my being disengaged. Sophia doubts the consequences of my propinquity on the voyage to Miss Mountfort!