‘BATALA, _Oct. 31, 1879_.--What shall I say for the splendid box, which reached me in perfect condition to-night? I am almost bewildered by the multitude of my possessions, and have hardly yet quite realised their amount.... What shall I begin with?--not the medicine, surely,--and yet quinine is such a treasure in India, so often required, asked for! It is _the_ medicine in a fever-land. And it is dreadfully expensive. I think that I once paid more than a guinea for a bottle, not a large one. But the cretonne--yes, that must have a principal place in my letter of thanks; such a splendid supply!...