THEPACIFIC OCEAN. 297 



their own people attended as fpe(f(:ators. Their numbers '777* 

 could not be computed exactly, on account of the inequality v,- — , — =» 

 of the ground ; but, by reckoning the inner circle, and the 

 number in depth, which was between twenty and thirty in 

 many places, we fuppofed that there mufl be near four 

 thoufand. At the fame time, there were round the trading 

 place at the tent, and ftraggling about, at lead as many 

 more; and fome of us computed, that, at this time, there , 

 were not lefs than ten or twelve thoufand people, in our 

 neighbourhood ; that is, within the compafs of a quarter 

 of a mile ; drawn together, for the mod part, by mere 

 curiofity. 



It is with regret I mention, that we could not underftand 

 what was fpoken, while we were able to fee what was aded, 

 in thefe amufements. This, doubtlefs, would have afforded 

 us much information, as to the genius and cuftoms of thefe 

 people. It was obfervable, that, though the fpedlators al- 

 ways approved of the various motions, when well made, a 

 great ihare of the pleafure they received feemed to arife 

 from the fentimental part, or what the performers delivered 

 in their fpeeches. However, the mere acfling part, inde- 

 pendently of the fentences repeated, was well worth our no- 

 tice, both with refpe6l to the extenfive plan on which it was 

 executed, and to the various motions, as well as the exadl 

 unity, with which they were performed. The drawings 

 which Mr. Webber made of the performances at Hapaee* 

 and which are equally applicable to thofe exhibited now, 

 will ferve much to illuflrate the account here given of the 

 order in which the a(5lors range themfelves. But neither 

 pencil nor pen can dcfcribe the numerous actions and 

 motions, the fmgularity of which was not greater, than 



Vol. I. <^^q was 



