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1885. MR. NOTT— OTAHEITAN BIBLE. 517
shining on either side, or astern ; but if the sun is a-head, it is
almost impossible to distinguish the reefs, by the colour, or
relative smoothness of the water. Walking to the house of
Mr. Nott, I saw an elderly native writing in a cottage, and
apparently very intent upon his employment. He showed me
what had engaged his attention, an Otaheitan version of the
book of Jeremiah, in Mr. Nott’s writing, which he was copying
in a very distinct, good hand.
Mr. Nott, the senior missionary upon the island, had then
almost completed a great work, the translation of the Bible.*
When we consider the judgment and persevering industry
required to translate the Bible from one written language into
another, it becomes easier to obtain a fair conception of the
labour necessary to fix, and make proper use of an unwritten,
and very peculiar language, in order to effect such a work,—a
work worthy of the fathers of our church. 1 paid my respects
to the author of this immense undertaking, and asked his advice
and opinion respecting the affairs in which I was instructed to
take a part, while on the island.
In the course of another visit to Papiete, I again met the
titular king of Nuhahiva, and told him my suspicions, so
plainly, that he said he should appeal to the governor of New
South Wales, to the Admiralty, and to the king of England
himself, against the unjust suspicions and improper conduct of
the captain of the Beagle !
Since the 17th the weather had been too cloudy, by night
and by day, to admit of astronomical observations. Instead of
fine clear weather, there was a thickly overcast sky, and only
light and variable wind. From the latter end of December to
the beginning of March cloudy weather (with much rain, and
westerly winds) is usual at Otaheite. Singular interruptions to
* This noble work is completed. I have now lying by me a copy of
tlie entire Bible, in tbe language of Otaheite, translated and compiled by
Mr. Nott, who has just sailed from England on his return to Otaheite,
carrying with him an ample number of copies of the Book of Books. I
felt deeply gratified by that good man’s kindness in giving me one of the
first copies which were printed.
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