March, 

 1826. 



292 VOYAGE TO THE 



" have we not as much bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, 

 bananas, vee-apples, &c. as we can eat ? It is very 

 good for you to work who require fine clothes and 

 fine ships ; but," looking around their apartment 

 with evident satisfaction, " we are contented with 

 what we possess." And in disposition they cer- 

 tainly appeared to be so ; for a more lively, good- 

 natured, inoffensive people it is impossible to con- 

 ceive. The only interruption to their general sere- 

 nity appears to be occasioned by the check which 

 the laws have placed upon their amusements ; a 

 feeling which became very apparent the moment 

 the missionaries were mentioned. They have in 

 general, however, a great respect for those gentle- 

 men, and are fearful of the consequences of offend- 

 ing them. 



Some of the natives had an indistinct notion of 

 this philanthropic society, and were not a little 

 surprised at being told that we were not missiona- 

 ries ; and in answer to their inquiry " King George 

 missionary ?" their astonishment was greatly in- 

 creased at being informed that he was not ; for as 

 they had an idea that King George was at the head 

 of the missionary society, they naturally imagined 

 that his officers must of course also belong to it. 

 This misconception had been so generally enter- 

 tained before our arrival, that we were told they 

 had threatened to complain to the society of the 

 master of a merchant ship who had by some means 

 incurred their displeasure. 



The Otaheitans were always a very superstitious 

 people, and notwithstanding their change of religion 

 still entertain most absurd notions on several points. 

 Though they have ceased to give credit to any 



