290 VOYAGE TO THE 



C ^ P * sketch of the two brothers a highly favourable 



v --v-"-' picture is presented of the class to which they be- 



]826.' long ; though there are others, particularly Taate, 



the first and most powerful chief upon the island, 



who are equally deserving of favourable notice. 



Of the rest of the population, though their ex- 

 ternal deportment is certainly more guarded than 

 formerly, in consequence of the severe penalties 

 which their new laws attach to a breach of decorum, 

 yet their morals have in reality undergone as little 

 change as their costume. Notwithstanding all the 

 restrictions imposed, I do not believe that I should 

 exceed the bounds of truth in saying, that, if oppor- 

 tunity offered, there is no favour which might not 

 be obtained from the females of Otaheite for the 

 trifling consideration of a Jew's harp, a ring, or some 

 other bauble. 



Their dwellings, with the exception of doors to 

 some, and occasionally latches and locks, are pre- 

 cisely what they were when the island was first dis- 

 covered. The floor is always strewed with grass, 

 which they are not at all careful to preserve clean or 

 dry, and it consequently becomes extremely filthy 

 and disagreeable ; and when it can be no longer 

 endured, it is replaced by fresh material. Their 

 household furniture has been increased by the intro- 

 duction of various European articles ; and a chest, 

 or occasionally a bedstead, may be seen occupying 

 the corner of an apartment ; but these are not yet 

 in great demand, the natives having little to put 

 into the former, and esteeming such of the latter as 

 have found their way to Otaheite scarcely more de- 

 sirable places of repose than their mats spread upon 

 straw. The extreme mildness of the climate, how- 



