118 VOYAGE TO THE 



lower order of the natives, by encouraging them in 

 intemperance, debauchery, idleness, and all kind of 

 vice ; nearly sufficient of themselves to counteract all 

 the labours of the missionaries in the diffusion of mo- 

 rality and religion. 



The harbour is formed by a coral reef, which ex- 

 tends along the coast from the Pearl River to Wytiete 

 Bay, but connected with the shore at intervals, so as 

 to impede the passage of vessels. The entrance is 

 very narrow and intricate, and vessels are generally 

 towed in early in the morning, before the breeze 

 freshens. There is a rock nearly in mid-channel upon 

 which the sea generally breaks. Sometimes indeed 

 it breaks quite across the entrance, and renders it ne- 

 cessary at that time, in particular, to employ a pilot. 

 The depth in the channel at high w^ater is about 

 eighteen feet ; but as I did not make a plan of this 

 port, in consequence of Lieutenant Maiden of the 

 Blonde having so recently executed all that was ne- 

 cessary in that respect, I cannot speak positively. In 

 sailing along the reefs in boats it is necessary to keep 

 at a considerable distance on account of the sudden 

 rise of the sea, w^hich is very apt to fill or upset 

 them when it breaks ; and boats should not at any 

 time pull for the entrance until they have gained a 

 proper station off it. I refer to the directions in my 

 nautical remarks for finding this station, and also for 

 further information regarding this port. 



The climate of the Sandwich Islands is more re- 

 freshing than that of Otaheite, although the group is 

 scarcely farther from the equator. I am not aware 

 that any register has been kept for a whole year at 

 Otaheite ; but at Woahoo this has been done by the 

 gentlemen attached to the missions, from which it ap- 



