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coast, he will most devoutly pray that the lesson of the
missionary may be found to have extended thus far.
In point of morality the virtue of the women, it has been
often said, is most open to exception. But before they are
blamed too severely, it will be well distinctly to call to mind the
scenes described by Captain Cook and Mr. Banks, in which
the grandmothers and mothers of the present race played a
part. Those who are most severe, should consider how much
of the morality of the women in Europe is owing to the
system early impressed by mothers on their daughters, and
how much in each individual case to the precepts of religion.
But it is useless to argue against such reasoners:—I believe
that disappointed in not finding the field of licentiousness
quite so open as formerly, they wiU not give credit to a
morality which they do not wish to practice, or to a religion
which they undervalue, if not despise.
S u n d a y 2 2 d .—The harbour of Papiete, which may be
considered as the capital of the island, is about seven miles
distant from Matavai, to which point the Beagle had returned.
The queen resides there, and it is the seat of government,
and the chief resort of shipping. Captain FitzRoy took a
party there to hear divine service, first in the Tahitian language,
and afterwards in our own. Mr. Pritchard, the leading
missionary in the island, performed the service, which
was a most interesting spectacle. The chapel consisted of a
large airy framework of wood; and it was filled to excess by
tidy, clean people, of all ages and both sexes. I was rather
disappointed in the apparent degree of attention; but I believe
my expectations were raised too high. At all events
the appearance was quite equal to that in a country church in
England. The singing of the hymns was decidedly very
pleasing ; hut the language from the pulpit, although fluently
delivered, did not sound well. A constant repetition of
words, like “ tata ta, mata mai,” rendered it monotonous.
After Enghsh service, a party returned on foot to Matavai.
It was a pleasant walk, sometimes along the sea-beach and
sometimes under the shade of the many beautiful trees.
About two years ago, a small vessel under English colours
was plundered by the inhabitants of the Low Islands, which
were then under the dominion of the Queen of Tahiti. It
was believed that the perpetrators were instigated to this
act by some indiscreet laws issued by her majesty. The
British government demanded compensation; which was
acceded to, and a sum of nearly three thousand dollars was
agreed to be paid on the first of last September. The commodore
at Lima ordered Captain FitzRoy, to inquire concerning
this debt, and to demand satisfaction if it were not
paid. Captain FitzRoy accordingly requested an interview
with the queen : and a parliament was held to consider the
question; at which aU the principal chiefs of the island and
the queen were assembled. 1 will not attempt to describe
what took place, after the interesting account given by
Captain FitzRoy. The money it appeared had not been
paid. Perhaps the alleged reasons for the failure were
rather equivocating: but otherwise I cannot sufficiently express
our general surprise, at the extreme good sense, the
reasoning powers, moderation, candour, and prompt resolution,
which were displayed on all sides. I beheve every one
of us left the meeting with a very different opinion of the
Tahitians, from that which we entertained when entering.
The chiefs and people resolved to subscribe and complete
the sum which was wanting : Captain FitzRoy urged that it
was hard that their private property should be sacrificed for
the' crimes of distant islanders. They replied, that they were
grateful for his consideration, but that Pomarre was their
Queen, and they were determined to help her in this her
difficulty. This resolution and its prompt execution (for a
hook was opened early the next morning), made a perfect
conclusion to this very remarkable scene of loyalty and good
feeling.
After the main discussion was ended, several of the chiefs
took the opportunity of asking Captain FitzRoy many intelligent
questions, concerning international customs and laws.
These related to the treatment of ships and foreigners. On
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