the inhabitants of this land; and may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, keep our hearts and minds,' &c.

After I sat down, a solemn silence again prevailed, until one of the natives, a supreme judge, broke it by addressing me by name, which he had caught from the certificates; and declaring on behalf of himself and the islanders, that the manner of my coming among them was very satisfactory, because what had been read and spoken, was in accordance with the gospel, which they had been taught, and were acquainted with. He also at considerable length touched upon the great distance I had come over the deep waters to see them, and to do them good; that in return, their hearts, and arms, and habitations, were open to receive me; duly appreciating the disinterestedness of the motive that had induced the step; having no trade, nor other object in view. He hoped I should visit all their schools, and stroke the heads of the children; that he should now deliver them all into my hands. I told George Pritchard to say, that the dear children would always have a strong hold, and a strong claim upon my heart. Much more transpired that was truly consoling and comforting; and the missionaries who spoke on the occasion, I truly believe, most fully and cordially co-operated in endeavouring to explain my views to the people in terms of strong approbation.

Although the above may not be exactly verbatim, it is the substance of what passed. When it was all over, Henry Nott kneeled down, and concluded the meeting with prayer in the Tahitian. The natives then generally rose from their seats, and began to flock round us, and to shake hands with Charles and myself in a very hearty manner, and without regard to order, age, or sex, from the humble peasant to the bronzecoloured queen, her two aunts, and the numerous chiefs, who, I think, are the stoutest, most giant-like men I ever saw assembled together. About 800 persons were collected at this meeting; but the house was so large that it seemed impossible to make any accurate estimate; for my own part, I should have

supposed the number not less than a thousand. The judge before spoken of, in one of his speeches, (for he spoke three times,) hinted that they perceived I was not exactly of the same description of Christians that had hitherto come amongst them, or I belonged to a different body. This, however, did not seem to stand in the way. Some days previously to this meeting being held, the young king and several chiefs came on board to breakfast, six in number. After breakfast, our usual reading in the Holy Scriptures was introduced, during which they behaved with great attention and propriety; sitting as still, in the time of silence, both then and at the pause before breakfast, as if accustomed to it. When they were about going away, a telescope and a piece of handkerchiefs were presented to the king, and a shawl to each of the others; with which they seemed highly pleased. Through the medium of an Englishman, who had been sent for on the occasion, the king was told, that I had something in reserve for Pomare, the queen, expecting she also would pay us a visit. They behaved with much openness and affability, and told us in plain terms that they liked us, because we were like themselves, and did not make ourselves very high to them.

I had a conference with the missionaries of the Papáoa district, who, although only four in number, are capable of rendering me much assistance in forwarding my views, and interpreting to the people. I was fully aware the missionaries were under an impression, that I was come out to inspect the state of the missions, and particularly that of the schools; private letters had reached them some months ago to that effect from London; but they were informed that now the missionary meeting was over, I was waiting as at the posts of wisdom's gate, not knowing to what I might next have to turn my hand: this explanation at once placed me in a fresh point of view. An expression of desire to do all in their power to co-operate in the work, in any manner I could point out, was, I think, avowed by each individual; and we parted in brotherly love.

CHAPTER XX.

TAHITI-VISIT

OF CHIEFS-THE YOUNG KING-MEETING FOR

SAILORS DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTS, BIBLES, &C.-TEMPERANCE

SHIPS-INTRODUCTION OF ARDENT SPIRITS-VISIT TO THE SCHOOLS -ATTEND THE NATIVE MEETING-VISITORS ON BOARD-JOHN DAVIES MEETING ON BOARD-IMPORTANCE OF TRANSLATING AND CIRCULATING THE SCRIPTURES-TAHITIAN COUNCIL NATIVE MEETING.

TAHITI, 14th of Fifth Month 1835.--This morning, Tati and his brother, two of the principal chiefs, and truly great in stature, with a grand-daughter of the former, came on board at breakfasttime, bringing with them another person of note. They partook of our meal, and stayed over our usual reading in the Scriptures; during which, and in the time of silence, they behaved in a solid manner. These are the most elderly chiefs that we have seen, and perhaps the oldest upon the island; and they are said to be the principal support of the present government. They had been on board once before, but it being late in the evening they had not stayed long. I put a small cotton dress upon the child, and presented a shawl to each of the great men. They invited us to come with the vessel to Mairi Péhe, where they reside, and on leaving seemed well satisfied with their visit. It being Fifth-day, Charles and myself endeavoured to wait upon the Lord, but under feelings oppressively languid from the heat.

15th. My mind having for some days past been brought into thoughtful solicitude for the best welfare of the crews of the vessels now lying at anchor about us, I mentioned it to my Charles soon after rising this morning; and seeing no way of being clear of the blood of these poor neglected people, but by appointing a public meeting, to be held next First-day, it

was concluded to make the necessary arrangements for so doing. There was no doubt that the deck of one of the whaling vessels might have been procured for the purpose; but on considering the subject, it seemed best to have the deck of the Henry Freeling made use of, lest umbrage should be taken by the English sailors, if the meeting was held on board an American vessel; or by the American sailors, if held on board an English one, in the same calling; both parties considering our own as employed on very different grounds from any other in the bay. There were six American whalers, and one trading vessel, all large and well manned, in the bay; and only one English whaler, the Rover, of London.

I stepped on shore to inquire whether the eleventh hour, next First-day, would interfere with any arrangements the missionaries might have made; that the work of neither party might be marred, and that nothing on our part might appear as done in a corner. On learning at George Pritchard's, that nothing would clash if our meeting was held at that hour, and having invited him or any part of his family to attend it, we returned immediately on board, and were soon after visited by a serious and respectable person, who had been sent out in 1825, by the London Missionary Society to teach the natives the art of spinning and weaving.

The young king and his brother came on board in a private capacity their visit was much more agreeable than when attended by several of the principal chiefs. They stayed dinner, and remained on board several hours. The simple habits, and gentle unassuming manner of this young man, do not appear at present to be liable to alter from his having become the husband of the queen. The amiable disposition he possesses, and which cannot be concealed, at once renders him an object of general esteem. He has evidently acquired considerable polish from the intercourse with foreigners, of which he does not fail to avail himself at every opportunity; and although from this circumstance, his manners are much more civilized than those of his countrymen, yet now and then the wild nature of a South Sea Islander shows itself. They brought us some fine bunches of oranges, the largest of which contained

eleven in a cluster, and the smallest seven. A sliding knife and fork were presented to each, also a three-bladed knife and a penknife. Shortly after these guests had left us, Paofai a chief, residing near Point Venus, came on board, and made signs that he wished to read my certificates, which were accordingly furnished for his perusal in the Polynesian language, although he could speak more English than any we have yet met with. He is considered a great man, and was more modest in behaviour than any we have yet seen of his stamp. Having observed, while he read the certificate, that his sight was impaired, I presented him with a pair of spectacles; at the same time a pocket-handkerchief and a small hatchet were given him; upon which he said he had no money to pay for them. Such an honest confession we had not before met with, nor with any person who mentioned payment for what they received. He left us with an acknowledgment of the kindness with which he had been treated, and I believe both parties were satisfied with the interview. In the evening, we were engaged in writing notices of the public meeting, intended to be held next First day.

16th. After breakfast, my Charles went to distribute the written notices amongst the shipping. In the forenoon, a quantity of tracts were selected, and parcelled in readiness for distribution at the close of the meeting to-morrow.

17th. (First day.)-In the morning the prospect before us was rather gloomy. There had been rain in the night, and soon after daylight the Mariner whaling vessel put to sea; thus the seamen on board of her were prevented from attending the meeting but I thought there was no reason why they should be deprived of their share of the tracts, which had been got ready for distribution the day before. As the wind was light, there was no difficulty in overtaking her before she got outside of the reef. Our mate was accordingly dispatched in good time, and succeeded in handing them on board. They were received with civility, and the requested application of them promised. By the accommodation of some planks kindly provided by the Emerald, our decks were extensively seated, and the planks were well covered with canvass, spare flags, &c.