288 THE OCEAN. 



Gambier has thus described his emotions on visit- 

 ing these scenes: — "After passing the reef of coral 

 which forms the harbour, astonishment and delight 

 kept us silent for some moments, and were succeeded 

 by a burst of unqualified approbation at the* scene 

 before us. We were in an excellent harbour, upon 

 whose shores industry and comfort were plainly per- 

 ceptible; for in every direction, white cottages, pre- 

 cisely English, were seen peeping from amongst the 

 rich foliage which everywhere clothes the lowland 

 in these islands. Upon various little elevations be- 

 yond these, were others, which gave extent and 

 animation to the whole. The point on the left, 

 in going in,* is low, and covered with wood, with 

 several cottages along the shore. On the right, 

 the high land of the interior slopes down with 

 gentle, gradual descent, and terminates in an ele- 

 vated point, which juts out into the harbour, form- 

 ing two little bays. The principal and largest is 

 to the left, viewing them from seaward ; in this, 

 and extending up the valley, the village is situ- 

 ated. The other, which is small, has only a few 

 houses ; but so quiet, so retired, that it seems the 

 abode of peace and perfect content. Industry flou- 

 rishes here. The chiefs take a pride in building 

 their own houses, which are now all after the Euro- 

 pean manner; and think meanly of themselves, if 

 they do not excel the lower classes in the arts 

 necessary for their construction. Their wives, also, 

 surpass their inferiors in making cloth. The queen 



* The captain is speaking of the harbour of Fa-re, in the island of 

 Huaheine. 



