1335-] CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 301 



From the varying accounts which I had read before reaching these 

 islands, I was very anxious to form, from my own observation, a 

 judgment of their moral state, although such judgment would neces- 

 sarily be very imperfect. First impressions at all times very much 

 depend on one's previously-acquired ideas. My notions were drawn 

 fromEllis's "Polynesian Researches" an admirable and most interest- 

 ing work, but naturally looking at everything under a favourable point 

 of view ; from Beechey's "Voyage ; " and from that of Kotzebue, which 

 is strongly adverse to the whole missionary system. He who compares 

 these three accounts will, I think, form a tolerably accurate conception 

 of the present state of Tahiti. One of my impressions, which I took 

 from the two last authorities, was decidedly incorrect; viz., that the 

 Tahitians had become a gloomy race, and lived in fear of the mis- 

 sionaries. Of the latter feeling I saw no trace, unless, indeed, fear 

 and respect be confounded under one name. Instead of discontent 

 being a common feeling, it would be difficult in Europe to pick ut of 

 a crowd half so many merry and happy faces. The prohibition of the 

 flute and dancing is inveighed against as wrong and foolish ; the 

 more than presbyterian manner of keeping the Sabbath is looked at in 

 a similar light. On these points I will not pretend to offer any opinion 

 in opposition to men who have resided as many years as I was days 

 on the island 



On the whole, it appears to me that the morality and religion of the 

 inhabitants are highly creditable. There are many who attack, even 

 more acrimoniously than Kotzebue, both tne missionaries, their system, 

 and the effects produced by it. Such reasoners never compare the 

 present state with that of the island only twenty years ago ; nor even 

 with that of Europe at this day ; but they compare it with the high 

 standard of Gospel perfection. They expect the missionaries' to effect 

 that which the Apostles themselves failed to do. In as much as the 

 condition of the people falls short of this high standard, blame is 

 attached to the missionary, instead oi credit for that which he has 

 effected. They forget, or will not remember, that human sacrifices, 

 and the power of an idolatrous priesthood a system of profligacy 

 unparalleled in any other part of the world infanticide a consequence 

 of that system bloody wars, where the conquerors spared neither 

 women nor children that all these have been abolished ; and that 

 dishonesty, intemperance, and licentiousness have been greatly reduced 

 by the introduction of Christianity. In a voyager to forget these things 

 is base ingratitude ; for should he chance to be at the point of 

 shipwreck on some unknown coast, he will most devoutly pray that 

 the lesson of the missionary may have extended thus far. 



In point of morality, the virtue of the women, it has been often said, 

 is most open to exception. But before they are blamed too severely, 

 it will be well distinctly to call to mind the scenes described by 

 Captain Cook and Mr. Banks, in which the grandmothers ana mothers 

 of the present race played a part. Those who are most severe 

 should consider how much of the morality of the women in Europe, is 

 owing to the system early impressed by mothers on their daughters, 



