286 ' A Letter on Otaheiie. 



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its will not permit. You see how noble they are in expression, in 

 this simple, yet harmonious language; how magnificent in their 

 thoughts and images; yet, I can assure you^ I find a difficulty in 

 transfusing their full force into my translation. 



Having in this manner, described this great being and his attri- 

 butes, they pass to the instant when he is in the act of forming, or 

 arranging the universe, and uniting together the elements of which 

 it is formed ; which, it should be observed, agreeably to their opin- 

 ions, constituted part of himself, and that he organized and arranged 

 them, but being part of himself, they were self-existent, and not 

 created. The passage is as follows, Tah-hah-ro-ah speaEs or calls. 



" Ye pivots ; {axes of orbits^ centres of circles^ supports or props) 

 Ye stones; {or rocks ^ or foundations) Ye sands ; {or elements ^ or 



atoms !) 



{They answer instantaneously.) Here we are. (He speaks, or 

 calls again,) Ye that are to form this new world, draw nigh. 

 Then he pressed them together, {as if with his hands'^ then he 

 pressed them together again with greater force, but they would not 

 adhere, {or coalesce.) Then with his right hand, {as if with im- 

 mense power) he cast forth {or spread abroad) the seven heavens, 

 to form the first basis, {foundation or firmament^) and light was 

 created. There was no longer any darkness ; every thing became 

 visible ; and the interior of the universe became illuminated, lah- 

 hah-ro-ah stopped {arrested,) gazing, rapt in delight {or^ well pleas- 

 ed) with the sight of this vast interior. Immobility exists no long- 

 er. The office of messengers, now ceases. The office of the speak- 

 ers is performed. The axes {or pivots of the orbits) are fixed, or 

 supported ; the seats {or beds) of the rocks {or foundations) are 

 laid ; the sands {earth, or atoms) are placed. The heavenly con- 

 stellations revolve ; the heavens are elevated ; the sea is in its depths ; 

 the creation of the universe is finished." 



In an article in my intended publication, in which I treat of the 

 antiquity of this people, I have made the following remarks in rela- 

 tion to the preceding extracts from their traditions. 



" However obscure one or two phrases, or expressions, used in 

 the above passages, may be, the reader will readily perceive, that 

 they are not the language of a mere savage, dancing on the bank 

 of a river, or brandishing his arms in defiance of his enemies. Oa 

 the contrary, it is the language of a Zoroaster — of a Pythagoras 

 of a recluse philosopher, who has long been engaged in contempla- 



