190 SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



height excited our astonishment and wonder ; the summits 

 rose far above the highest clouds, and for several thousand 

 feet down were covered with snow, which, when the sun rose, 

 glistened and sparkled with a degree of brilliancy that almost 

 blinded the beholder. This mighty scene recalled the follow- 

 ing effusion to which Moore was excited on a similar occasion : 



" No, never shall I lose the trace 

 Of what I've felt in this bright place ; 

 And should my spirit's hope grow weak, 

 Should I, God ! e'er doubt thy power, 

 This mighty scene again I'll seek, 

 At this same calm and glooming hour, 

 And here at the sublimest shrine 

 That nature ever reared to thee, 

 Re-kindle all that hope divine 

 And feel my immortality !" 



At sunset the natives* assembled on the forecastle, and at 

 our request gave us a specimen of their wrestling. Forming 

 a ring, one of them stepped in the centre with his arms ex- 

 tended ; he was immediately approached by another from the 

 opposite side, not in the usual step, but by crossing the legs 

 alternately; he then brought both feet together, and com- 

 menced making a variety of motions with his hands. After 

 this, which lasted about five minutes, each seized the other by 

 the wrist and neck, and by a variety of movements made by 

 the arms and feet, continued to struggle until one of the 

 parties was thrown. 



During the night, many meteors were observed. It is 

 impossible for -language to paint the glories of the firmament 

 in clear moonlight nights among these islands. They surpass 

 any I have ever witnessed in other parts of the globe. 



* While at Oahoo, numbers of these people were shipped on board the different 

 vessels of the squadron, for the purpose of employing thenvin the boats. 



