344 MISSIONARIES. [1840. 



ties acknowledges itself vanquished, if peace cannot be ob- 

 tained on any milder terms, the chiefs and leading men crawl 

 on their hands to the conquerors and humbly sue for mercy. 

 This is not always accorded, but the victors generally content 

 themselves with taking the daughters of the chiefs, who are 

 brought by the suppliants and tendered to the vanquishers 

 and selecting some of the lower class of the people for vic- 

 tims at their cannibal feasts. 



The Feejeean is not deficient in intelligence; he is shrewd, 

 apt to learn, skilful, and cunning. But his soul is uninformed 

 by that moral beauty which might relieve or conceal the dark 

 and repulsive features of his character. In this respect, how 

 great is the contrast between him and the matchless scenery 

 by which he is surrounded, whose purity he has desecrated, and 

 whose beauty sullied, by crimes the most odious, and customs 

 the most abhorrent. In the midst of all that can please the 

 taste, or charm the fancy, or gratify the imagination — where 

 everything is fair, and bright, and beautiful — where the 

 dreamy haze of a tropical clime rests lovingly on hill-top and 

 valley — where the sun smiles in gladness upon landscapes 

 picturesque and charming as the sweet spots, buried in foliage 

 and flowers, that nestle in the bosom of the Italian Alps — 

 where brook and fountain send forth unrestrained their un- 

 ceasing melody — where the breezes are soft and balmy, and 

 the perfumed breath of an unending summer fills the air with 

 its intoxicating odor — man is alone debased. Nature dis- 

 plays her brightest charms, and revels in her gayest attire — 

 but God's own image is loathsome and deformed ! 



Here is, indeed, a field for the missionary, — and laborers 

 are not wanting. In fulfilment of the divine command — 

 "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel !" — the hum- 

 ble, self-denying, and persevering followers of Wesley, have 

 found, their way to this group. At Lakemba, Somu-Somu, 

 Levuka, and Rewa, they have permanently established them- 

 selves. Hitherto their labors have been attended with little 

 success, except among the natives of the Eastern Group, but 

 it may be as true in the moral condition of man, as it is in 



