Though apparently possessed of more robust health than his coadjutor, my brother found the Indian climate much less congenial, and it was not long before the intense heat produced a nervous debility and prostration of strength, which quite disqualified him for work. It was necessary for him to seek for relief in a change of air; a short voyage along the coast, and a residence for a few weeks at Vizagapatam were tried without success, and it became needful to have recourse to Madras for medical advice. From thence he was ordered to the Neilgherry hills, which are the nearest sanatory station for Southern India; rising from the plain to a height of several thousand feet, two hundred miles inland from the coast, they afford a most delightful and refreshing temperature, and abound in scenery of the wildest and most romantic character. Ootacamund forms the principal residence for invalids on those hills, and thither, in January, 1843, my brother proceeded with his wife and little boy, which had been born previous to their departure from Masulipatam.

A very interesting circumstance occurred about this time, which rendered their visit to the hills a period of great usefulness to one young person, who had previously been sunk in the depths of heathen degradation.