of causes and events, and will anticipate the
glorious prospect of beholding a clever, brave,
and, I may add, noble race of men, like the
New Zealanders, rescued from barbarism.
This pacific and rational discussion among
the chiefs seems, in reality, to give promise of
the germ of a regular reform. Should a few
more such meetings take place, and terminate
in the same amicable manner, (and I think it
very probable,) some clever individual may rise
up amongst them, take the reins in his own
hands, and establish something like a regular
form of government.
Feeling that I was not likely now to be
called upon to act offensively, I considered
myself at liberty to make numerous excursions
round our fortress, not only to admire
this fertile and beautiful country, but to visit
some of my old friends. I was very much
astonished and shocked at seeing several very
beautiful young women, whom I left only a
few months back in perfect health and
strength, now reduced to mere “ living
skeletons,” and also to hear of the death
of others by consumption. This disease
seems to be the scourge of the young; and
when they are once seized with its symptoms,
they are very speedily brought to the
grave. The natives say, “ It is Atua, the
Great Spirit, coming into them, and eating
up their inside ; for the patient can feel those
parts gradually go away, and then they become
weaker and weaker till no more is left;
after which the Spirit sends them to the happy
island.” They never attempt any means of
curing or of alleviating the pains caused by
this cruel complaint; and all those under its
influence are tabooed. I procured from the
brig all my remaining stores of tapioca, sago,
arrowroot, and sugar, and distributed them in
the best way I could amongst my sick friends.
They were anxious for wine; but that portion
of my sea-stock, as well as spirits, had
been long since expended.
: It seems unaccountable that the natives of
an atmosphere so dry as this is — a country
in which there are no marshy bogs, and
where, though there is an abundance of water,
it is generally seen in clear and sparkling rills
rushing down from the mountains into the
u