’*774*
A pr il . and barren rocks, it is to be doubted whether the whole
population of this group amounts to fifty thoufand per-
fons. The Spaniards, who difcovered them, found theis
manners gentle and inoffenfive, if we except a trifling difference
at Magdalena, which probably arofe from fome
mifunderftanding, or from the impetuous temper of thofe
navigators. When we arrived amongft them, we were received
with every mark of friendfliip. They prefented us
with roots of pepper, and branches of tamannoo (';alophylhm
inopbyllum, Linn.) in fign of peace ; they fold us their provi-
fions ■, and though we killed one of their brethren, they continued
the fame kind treatment, and permitted us to roam
about their country to a great diftance without moleftation.
This behaviour, their manners, their beautiful forms, their
drefles, provifions, embarkations, and their language, prove
that they have the fame origin with theTaheitians, and only
differ from them in a few refpedls, which the nature of
their country required. The advantages which the rich
encircling plains bellow on the Taheitians and their near
neighbours, muft drop in great meafure at the Marquefas.
When they have cultivated as much ground as will afford
them the means of fubfiftence, there is none remaining for
thofe extenfive plantations of mulberry-trees, which every
where ftrike the eye at Taheitee: indeed if they had the
ground, they cannot afford to bellow the time which this
branch
branch of culture requires. The great fources of Taheitian jg
affluence and luxury, their profufion of food, and their vail
variety and quantity of cloth, do not exill in the Marquefas
: but the inhabitants have a competence ; they are
all equal among themfelves ; they are adtive, very healthy,
and beautifully made ; there is nothing which can make
them unhappy, by debarring them the means of obeying
nature’ s voice. The Taheitians have more comforts and
conveniencies; they have perhaps fuperior flrill in the arts,
and thefe things give them a greater relilh for the enjoyment
of life ; but to balance thefe advantages, they are no
longer upon a level; one part lives by the labours of the
other, and difeafes already wait upon their exceffes.
——— — — Scilicet imprqbie
Crefcunt divitise, tamea
Curtse nefcio quid Temper abeft rei. Hor,
The fruits and frefh meat which we obtained at the
Marquefas, may be confidered as the firft relloratives after
a cruize of four months and a h a lf; during which we vi-
fited the frozen zone to 7 1 deg. and the torrid to 91 deg.
S. latitude. The fmall fupply of potatoes at Eafter Ifland
was only a medicine, which providentially flopped the
rapid progrefs of various difeafes on board, but could not
prevent their return, when we approached the torrid zone j
whofe active heat fet our ftagnant and putrid blood into a
■ F 2 Rate