nr*. 18 o°, there is a great number of iflands, from the i oth to
the 2 2d degree of latitude ; all which, as far as they are
known, feem to be inhabited by one race of people, who
fpeak the fame dialed of the South Sea tongue, and have the
fame focial and mercantile difpofition. All thefe then might
be added to the Friendly Iflands. They are in general remarkably
well inhabited, particularly thofe which we vifited.
Tonga-Tabboo is almoft one continual garden, and Ea-
oowe, Namoka, and the adjacent iflands, are fome of the
moft fertile fpots in the Pacific Ocean. We fliall therefore
be extremely moderate in our calculation, if we fuppofe the
number of inhabitants in all thefe iflands does not exceed
200,000 perfons. Their healthy climate, and its excellent
productions, keep them free from thofe numerous difeafes,
to which we fall an eafy prey, and, according to their plain
and Ample notions, fatisfy all their wants. Their progrefs
in the arts, beyond other nations in the South Sea, and particularly
their refinement in mufic, ferve to pafs away their
time agreeably, and give them tafte to acknowledge and
difcern the beauties of their own exquifite forms, from
whence one of the ftrongeft ties of fociety is derived. Their
general turn is aCtive and induftrious, but their behaviour
to ftrangers more polite than cordial. Their peculiar pro-
penfity to trade feems to have fubftituted this infincere civility,
in the room of real friendfhip, from thofe interefted
and mercenary principles which commerce infpires. Both
thefe
thefe characters are in direCt oppofition to thofe of the Ta-
heitians, who delight in an indolent life, and are too hearty
in their affeCtions to confine them to outward fliew and
fpecious appearances. However there are many luxurious
individuals (arreoys) at the Society Iflands, whofe moral
character appears to be fomewhat depraved ; whtlft the people
of the Friendly Iflands feem to be ignorant of vices,
which can only have arifen from a fuperior degree of opulence.
The canoes which accompanied us from Namoka returned
at noon to feveral low iflands, all which feemed to-
be well inhabited and fertile, like fo many beautiful gardens.
After dinner the wind became contrary, and abated,
fo that we rather loll than gained ground. A few canoes
came up with us again, for the natives fpared no labour to
obtain our nails and rags of cloth. Towards evening we
were furrounded by a little fleet, and the trade was very
brifk, chiefly for the utenfils and arms of the iflanders,
which are made with remarkable neatnefs.
The canoes returned once more to us the next morning,
putting off at day-break from all the little iflands in fight.
Their appearance and their failing afforded us much entertainment.
Before the wind they go extremely fwift, being
well contrived for that purpofe, and their broad triangular
fail gives them a very piCturefque form at a diftance. We
left them in. a fhort time, when the breeze frefhened, and
failed