one circumstance which proves a kind feeling
in the natives, and shows they are not averse
to the preaching of the missionaries, or the
doctrines they inculcate.
It was the custom of all the Europeans settled
here, on the beach at Ko-ro-ra-di-ka, to refrain
from all kinds of work on the Sabbath ;
to shave, and dress themselves in their best
habiliments; and if any of the missionaries
came over, they went forth to meet them, and
hear divine service. Several of the natives
generally assembled and witnessed the ceremony;
and as they observed it came every
seventh day, they called it U The white taboo’d
day, when the packeahs (or white men)
put on clean clothes, and leave off work; ”
and, strange to say, the natives also abstained
from working on that day. Nothing could
induce them to the contrary; not that we
wished to persuade them to work, but merely
endeavoured so to do to ascertain the strength
of their politeness. Not a bit of work would
they do upon a Sunday, although it was a
critical time with them; for all the chiefs
were unprepared with their war canoes for the
approaching expedition. At length we discovered
that their cunning was as conspicuous
as their politeness. They had observed we
generally lay longer in bed on a Sunday
morning than any other; they accordingly
were up by break of day, and had completed
many hours’ work before we made our appearance
; but the moment one of us did appear,
the work was instantly left off. This
degree of outward respect, though craftily
managed, was infinitely more than could be
reasonably expected from a rude and turbulent
savage. It is more respect than we Europeans
pay to any religious ceremony we do not understand.
Even their taboo’d grounds would
not be so respected by us, if we were not quite
certain they possessed the power instantly to
revenge any affront offered to their sacred
places.
Of all animals introduced by the Europeans,
the most unserviceable, and indeed injurious,
have been the dogs. They have increased rapidly
; every spot was crowded with poor
half-starved curs, that were all night long
committing depredations on the poultry, pigs,
L 2