TONGA 



branch of that race has approached elsewhere. If it lies 

 written in the book of destiny that the English nation 

 has still within it great men who will take a place among 

 the demigods, I can well believe that it will be in the un- 

 exhausted soil and spiritual capabilities of New Zealand 

 that the great English poets, artists, philosophers, states- 

 men, soldiers, of the future will be born and nurtured." * 



Between the days of Wilkes and Froude came those of 

 Bishops Selwyn and Pattison, and those of Sir George 

 Grey. 



The Tonga group was next to be visited, and accord- 

 ingly the Vincennes, Porpoise, and Flying-Fish set sail on 

 the 6th of April from the Bay of Islands. On the 22d, 

 Wilkes made Eooa and Tongataboo, the two southern- 

 most of the Friendly Isles of Cook ; and a few days later 

 the Peacock, which had been repaired at Sydney, rejoined 

 the other vessels. At Nukualofa, the Christian party 

 and the Devil's were found to be on the point of hostili- 

 ties, and the American commander proffered his services 

 to the Wesleyan missionary, Rev. Mr. Tucker, in recon- 

 ciliation of the opponents. This led to an extraordinary 

 conference with " King George " in the hut of " King 

 Josiah," but the ambition of the first named to enlarge 

 his dominions in Vavao by adding to them Tonga was an 

 insurmountable obstacle to the arbitration. The Ton- 

 gese, who were quite akin to the Samoans in appearance 

 and customs, were in many respects the most attractive 

 and interesting persons that were seen in the South Seas. 

 A larger proportion of fine-looking people, says Wilkes, 

 is seldom to be seen in any portion of the globe. They 

 are of a shade lighter than any of the other islanders ; 

 their countenances are generally of the European cast; 

 they are tall and well made ; and their muscles are well 

 developed. They are ingenious and industrious; war- 

 like; fond of amusement; and devoted to their drink, 



* Froude's Oceana. 



83 



