bengham's tyranny. 261 



to her, many miles distant from Hanaruro, 

 had always paid his taxes with regularity, and 

 hoping that the distance, and his advanced age, 

 might dispense with his attendance at the 

 church and the school, acted accordingly ; but 

 for this neglect, Kahumanna drove him from 

 his home. He sought her presence, implored 

 her compassion for his destitute condition, and 

 represented the impossibility of learning to 

 read at his age. But in vain ! The Queen 

 replied with an angry gesture, " If you will not 

 learn to read, you may go and drown yourself." 

 To such tyranny as this, has Bengham urged 

 the Queen, and perhaps already esteems him- 

 self absolute sovereign of these islands. But 

 he reckons without his host. He pulls the 

 cord so tightly, that the bow must break ; and 

 I forewarn him, that his authority will, one 

 day, suddenly vanish : already the cloud is 

 gathering; much discontent exists. The inju- 

 dicious summons of country people to Ha- 

 naruro has enhanced the price of provisions, 

 partly on account of the increased consumption, 

 partly because so much time spent in study and 

 prayer leaves but little for the labours of agri- 



