A MOTLEY CONGREGATION. 155 
a number of benches, so placed, in long rows, 
that the occupants can have a convenient view 
of the pulpit in the centre. When we entered, 
the church was full even to crowding, the men 
seated on one side, and the women on the other; 
they almost all had psalm-books lying before 
them; the most profound stillness reigned in 
the assembly. Near the pulpit, which Wilson 
mounted, was placed a bench for Messrs. Ben- 
net and Tyrman, on which I also took my seat. 
Notwithstanding the seriousness and devo- 
tion apparent among the Tahaitians, it is almost 
impossible for an European, seeing them for 
the first time in their Sunday attire, to refrain 
from laughter. The high value which they set 
on clothes of our manufacture has already been 
remarked ; they are more proud of possessing 
them than are our ladies of diamonds and Per- 
sian shawls, or our gentlemen of stars and 
orders. As they know nothing of our fashions, 
they pay no sort of attention to the cut, and 
even age and wear do not much diminish their 
estimation of their attire; a ripped-out seam, 
or a hole, is no drawback in the elegance of the 
article. These clothes, which are brought to 
