Capt. Ross’s Voyage of Discovery. 285 
on board, by their trials on the inexperience of the natives, was 
the effect produced on them by seeing their faces in a magnifying 
mirror. Their grimaces were highly entertaining, while, like 
monkeys, they looked first into it, and then behind, in hopes of 
finding the monster which was exaggerating their hideous ges- 
tures. A watch was also held to the ear of one, who supposing 
it, alive, asked if it was good to eat. On being shown the glass 
of the skylight and binnacle, they touched it, and desired to know 
what kind of ice it was. During this scene, one of them wan- 
dered to the main hatchway, and, stooping down, saw the ser- 
jeant of marines, whose red coat produced a loud exclamation 
of wonder ; while his own attitude and figure did not less excite 
the surprise of our tars, who, for the first time, discovered some 
unexpected peculiarities in the dress of the natives. 
“<The three men remaining were now handed down to my ca- 
bin, and shown the use of the chairs, which they did not com- 
prehend, appearing to have no noticn of any other seat than the 
ground. Being seated, we attempted to take their portraits, in 
which Lieut. Hopner, Mr . Skene, Mr. Bushnan, and myself were 
at the same time employed. During this attempt, fearful it might 
alarm them, we amused them with questions, collecting from 
them at the same time the information we thought it desirable 
to obtain, and directing Sacheuse to ask those questions which 
the hurried nature of this visit permitted us to recollect as most 
essential, and of which the result will appear hereafter. Our draw- 
ings being completed, and interrogatories ended, they began to 
be very inquisitive, asking the use of every thing in the cabin; we 
showed them paper, books, drawings, and various mathematical 
instruments, which produced only the usual effect of astonishing 
them ; but on being shown the prints, in Cook’s Voyage, of the 
natives of Otaheite, they attempted to grasp them, evidently 
comprehending that they were the representations of human be= 
ings. The sight of a writing-desk, a bureau, and of other wooden 
furniture, also excited their astonishment, but apparently from 
the nature of the materials only, as they seemed to form no idea 
of their uses. 
**They were now conducted to the gun-room, and afterwards 
round the ship, but withcut appearing to distinguish any thing 
particularly, except the wood in her construction, stamping on 
the deck, as if in evident surprise at the quantity of this valuable 
material. In hopes of amusing them, the violin was sent for, and 
some tunes played; they, however, paid no attention to this, 
seeming quite unconcerned, either about the sounds or performer 
» —a sufficient proof that the love of music is an acquired taste, 
and that it requires experience to distinguish between that and 
_ other similar noises. A flute was afterwards sounded for them, 
which 
