When he heard the news, his health and mood changed for the worse. Recalling what happened, Swami Akhandananda said: _x000d_ Swamiji had been such a jolly person. Suddenly one morning I found that he had become serious. The whole day he did not cat anything, nor did he talk with anybody. The doctor was immediately called, but could not diagnose the disease. He [the Swami] sat the whole day with his head on a pillow. Then I heard that in Calcutta three-fourths of the population had left the metropolis owing to the plague epidemic. That's why Swamiji had become so serious. The Swami said at that time, "We have to serve them, even though we are required to sell everything. We were only wandering monks living under a tree. We shall stay under a tree."

On March 30 the Swami left for Darjeeling with Swami Nirbhayananda and Babu Nityagopal Bose. There he was the guest of Shri M. N. Banerji, pleader, with whom he had stayed the previous year. Once more he gave himself full freedom, enjoying his rest in every possible way. So far as he could, he followed the instruction of his physicians not to think on any serious subject.

"I was so much relieved to know that the Rev. Mother [Miss Muller and Miss Bell had borne the journey well. How lovely that the King [Swami Vivekananda] had gone off to see the snow. Of course, I am sorry for you, for I am sure you were looking forward to meeting him, but he loves the snow so much!"

On April 3, at the request of some of the residents, he gave a lecture on Hinduism in Darjeeling Hindu Public Hall, with Shri A. G. Bose, Deputy Magistrate, in the chair. He spoke for nearly two hours. As usual the audience was spellbound.

To Mrs. Ole Bull_x000d_ Darjeeling_x000d_ the 4th April '98_x000d_ My dear Dhira Mata___x000d_ I am afraid you are getting roasted down there in the heat of Calcutta. Here it is nice and cool and rather chill when it rains, which it does almost every day. Yesterday the view of the snows was simply superb, and it is the most picturesque city in the world; there is such a mass of colour everywhere, especially in the dress of the Lepchas and Bhutias and the Paharees. Had it not been for the awful, corrugated iron roofs everywhere, it would have been twenty times more picturesque._x000d_ My health was not bad in Calcutta; here it is the same___x000d_ only, the sugar has entirely disappeared, the specific gravity being only 13. I slept very well last night too; but the morning ride up, or climb, of a few miles is proving too much for my adipose tissues. The flannel clothes only made me worse, so I have given them up and have gone to my summer dress and am all right._x000d_ I have sent you Sturdy's letter already__poor fellow__I do not know what to do for him. He is really "living in a desert of his own making"__you see, one thing is not good for every one. Marriage has indeed proved a hell for Sturdy. And he can not come, although "he is skirting the coast of India". Lord help the poor boy. May He cut all his bonds and make him free soon. Aye, it is good that he is feeling the bondage__and not "hug ging and kissing its spokes of agony"._x000d_ * Swamiji’s reference to Mr. Sturdy’s not "hugging and kissing its spokes of agony" is an allusion to a verse in Edwin Arnold’s then widely read Light of Asia: "Ye suffer from yourselves. None else compels,/ None other holds you that ye live and die,/And whirl upon the wheel, and hug and kiss/ Its spokes of agony,/ Its tire of tears, its nave of nothingness" (Book the Eighth). Swamiji also quoted this verse in "Steps to Realisation," a class-lecture, I896 (Complete Works, I: 407)._x000d_ I gave a little lecture to the Hindus here yesterday, and I told them all their defects purposely and with their permission. I hope it will make them howl._x000d_ Miss Müller has taken a bungalow here and she is coming on Wednesday. I do not know whether Miss Noble is coming with her. She [Miss Noble] had better be your guest in Kashmir as according to our plan._x000d_ Have you got that place yet or changed [places]? I am going to Kashmir anyway, as I have promised._x000d_ I will be here only a few days and then I come to Calcutta, to be there only a week__and [then] I start for the N.W. Of course this is not the time to see anything in the N.W.P.; everything is burning there. Yet that heat is much healthier than that of Bengal._x000d_ Ever yours in the Lord,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Next day the Swami wrote to Mrs. Bull, then in Calcutta: _x000d_ I am afraid, you are getting roasted down there in the heat of Calcutta. Here it is nice and cool ... My health was not bad at Calcutta, here it is the same ... _x000d_ I gave a little lecture to the Hindus here yesterday, and I told them all their defects purposely, and with their permission. I hope it will make them howl. _x000d_ Miss Muller has taken a bungalow here and she is coming on Wednesday [April 6]. I do not know whether Miss Noble is coming with her....

To Munshi Jagmohanlal_x000d_ Ballen Ville_x000d_ Darjeeling_x000d_ 15 April 1898_x000d_ My dear Jagmohan, _x000d_ If you can find out all the letters that I addressed to H.H. on my way to__and stay in__Japan, Europe and America, please do send them carefully packed, under registered cover, to my address in the Math, as early as possible._x000d_ With blessing to you,_x000d_ I remain,_x000d_ Yours truly,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Darjeeling_x000d_ 18th April, 1898_x000d_ My Dear Joe Joe {MacLeod},_x000d_ I was down with fever brought upon, perhaps, by excessive mountain climbing and the bad health in the station._x000d_ I am better today and intend leaving this in a day or two. In spite of the great heat there, I used to sleep well in Calcutta and had some appetite. Here both have vanished--this is all the gain._x000d_ I could not see Miss Muller yet on the subject of Marguerite; but I intend to write her today. She is making all arrangements to receive her here. Mr. Gupta is also invited to teach them Bengali. She may now do something about her. I shall, however, write._x000d_ It will be easy for Marguerite to see Kashmir any time during her stay; but if Miss M. is not willing, there will be a big row again to injure both her and Marguerite._x000d_ I am not sure whether I go to Almora again. Much riding it seems is sure to bring on a relapse. I will wait for you at Simla--whilst you pay your visit to the Seviers. We will think on it when I am in. I am so glad to learn that Miss Noble delivered an address at the R.K. Mission. With all love to the Trinity,_x000d_ Ever yours in the Lord,_x000d_ Vivekananda

On April 18 he wrote to Miss MacLeod, "I was down with fever brought upon, perhaps, by excessive mountain climbing and the bad health in the station. I am better today. . . "

To Miss Josephine MacLeod_x000d_ Darjeeling_x000d_ 19th April '98_x000d_ My dear Miss MacLeod,_x000d_ Miss Müller is very glad to learn that you intend inviting Miss Noble to join our party to Kashmir._x000d_ It has her hearty approval. On her way back, Miss Müller will start something for her in Calcutta. She need not come to Darjeeling at all._x000d_ Hope you are enjoying the baking quite a bit. I start this week most probably._x000d_ Ever yours in the Lord,_x000d_ Vivekananda

To the Officer in Charge of Telegrams, Srinagar_x000d_ April 19, 1898._x000d_ Sir,_x000d_ Please allow Miss M'cLeod [MacLeod] or her agent to receive any telegrams that you have received for me and receipt the same._x000d_ Yours truly,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Darjeeling,_x000d_ 23rd April, 1898_x000d_ {original in Bengali}_x000d_ My Dear Rakhal {Brahmananda},_x000d_ My health was excellent on my return from Sandukphu (11,924 ft.) and other places; but after returning to Darjeeling, I had first an attack of fever, and after recovering from that, I am now suffering from cough and cold. I try to escape from this place every day; but they have been constantly putting it off for a long time. However, tomorrow, Sunday, I am leaving; after halting at Kharsana for a day I start again for Calcutta on Monday. I shall send you a wire after starting. We should hold an annual meeting of the Ramakrishna Mission, and also one for the Math. In both the meetings the accounts of famine relief must be submitted, and the report of the famine relief must be published. Keep all this ready._x000d_ Nityagopal says, managing an English magazine will not cost much. So let us first get this one out, and we shall see to the Bengali magazine afterwards. All these points will have to be discussed. Is Yogen willing to shoulder the responsibility of running the paper? Shashi writes that if Sharat goes some time to Madras, they may make a lecture tour jointly. Oh, how hot it is now! Ask Sharat if G. G., Sarada, Shashi Babu, and others have got their articles ready. Give my love and blessing to Mrs. Bull, Miss MacLeod, and Nivedita._x000d_ Yours affectionately,_x000d_ Vivekananda

Darjeeling,_x000d_ 29th April, 1898_x000d_ My Dear Joe Joe {MacLeod},_x000d_ I have had several attacks of fever, the last being influenza._x000d_ It has left me now, only I am very weak yet. As soon as I gather strength enough to undertake the journey, I come down to Calcutta._x000d_ On Sunday I leave Darjeeling, probably stopping for a day or two at Kurseong, then direct to Calcutta. Calcutta must be very hot just now. Never mind, it is all the better for influenza. In case the plague breaks out in Calcutta, I must not go anywhere; and you start for Kashmir with Sadananda. How did you like the old gentleman, Devendra Nath Tagore? Not as stylish as "Hans Baba" with Moon God and Sun God of course. What enlightens your insides on a dark night when the Fire God, Sun God, Moon God, and Star Goddesses have gone to sleep? It is hunger that keeps my consciousness up, I have discovered. Oh, the great doctrine of correspondence of light! Think how dark the world has been all these ages without it! And all this knowledge and love and work and all the Buddhas and Krishnas and Christs--vain, vain have been their lives and work, for they did not discover that "which keeps the inner light when the Sun and Moon were gone to the limbo" for the night! Delicious, isn't it?_x000d_ If the plague comes to my native city, I am determined to make myself a sacrifice; and that I am sure is a "Darn sight, better way to Nirvana" than pouring oblations to all that ever twinkled._x000d_ I have had a good deal of correspondence with Madras with the result that I need not send them any help just now. On the other hand I am going to start a paper in Calcutta. I will be ever so much obliged if you help me starting that. As always with undying love,_x000d_ Ever yours in the Lord,_x000d_ Vivekananda