MISSIONARY SETTLEMENT. 27 



The settlement at Fare occupies a tract of 

 level land, of crescentic form, and about two 

 miles in length its southern extremity bounded 

 by a bluff cliff ; its northern, stretching into the 

 sea in the form of a low and extensive tract of 

 sandy soil, picturesquely clothed with dense 

 groves of cocoa-nut trees. The lowlands are 

 well watered and exceedingly fertile : in no other 

 spot of similar extent had I seen so profuse a 

 display of cocoa-nut, orange, and lime trees, as 

 was here exhibited. The dwellings of the resi- 

 dents are scattered far asunder, but respectably 

 built. Convenient paths intersect the land in 

 every direction, and conduct to the adjoining 

 districts ; some excellent causeways, constructed 

 of block-coral, shorten the road where creeks or 

 inlets of the sea intervene ; and several small rus- 

 ticbridges facilitate the passage over as manynar- 

 row but deep rivers. The Christian church of 

 this settlement is a large and handsome edifice, 

 erected close to the sea- side. 



The residence of the missionary is situated 

 more remote from the coast. It presents 

 traces of former value, but is at present suffi- 

 ciently dilapidated and modestly furnished to 

 acquit its apostolic occupant of any overween- 

 ing attention to his personal comfort. There 

 are, indeed, but few missionaries in Polynesia 



