270 VOYAGE TO THE 



chap, since 1815 a code of laws has been drawn up oy 

 v-^ vw Pomarree II., with the assistance of the missiona- 

 ^826' r * es ' wn i° n nas subsequently been extended from 

 time to time; and that since 1825 a house of parlia- 

 ment has been established, to which representatives 

 of the several districts in the island are returned by 

 popular election. The penalties proposed by Po- 

 marree were very severe, but that of death has as 

 yet been enforced upon four culprits only. 



The limit thus imposed on the arbitrary power of 

 the monarch, and the security thus afforded to the 

 liberties and properties of the people, reflect credit 

 upon the missionaries, who were very instrumental 

 in introducing these laws : at the same time, had 

 they been better informed in the history of mankind, 

 they would have been less rigid upon particular 

 points, and would have more readily produced those 

 benefits which they no doubt hoped would ensue. 

 Magistrates are appointed to try cases, and conduct 

 their judicial proceedings in open court, and the po- 

 lice are continually on the alert both day and night 

 to prevent irregularities, and to suppress the amuse- 

 ments of the people, whom, from mistaken views of 

 religion, they wish to compel to lead a life of austere 

 privation. 



We found the consul in possession of a small but 

 comfortable house opposite the anchorage, which 

 had been hastily run up by the natives for his use ; 

 and we took the earliest and most favourable oppor- 

 tunity of impressing the importance of his situation 

 upon the inhabitants, by the salute due to his rank. 

 Besides the missionary gentlemen, we found that 

 several other Europeans were residing in our vici- 

 nity ; and as some of these, as well as the consul, had 



