AN OBJECT OF ENVY. 193 
peace, but in this I was disappointed. Though 
my habitation was surrounded by sentinels, I 
was continually disturbed by swarms of curious 
islanders, who, troublesome as they were, were 
yet so gentle and good-tempered that it was 
impossible to be angry with them. They were 
particularly pleased with Dr. Eschscholz’s little 
museum, and took pains to collect from every 
corner of the island, butterflies, beetles, birds, 
and marine productions, by way of showing 
their sense of the kindness with which he ex- 
hibited his treasures, often receiving from him 
in return some trifling present, which they con- 
sidered of great value. One of them was fairly 
overpowered with gratitude by the gift of an 
old coat. With much admiration of such pro- 
fuse generosity, and many expressions of rap- 
ture, he at length succeeded in cramming his 
large body into the garment of the infinitely 
smaller and more slender philosopher, and 
strutted about with his back hunched up, and 
his arms sticking out, envied by all his acquain- 
tances for the magnificence of his attire. 
Though the vice of theft has certainly greatly 
diminished among the Tahaitians, they cannot 
VO... I. K 
