WAIMATE. 209 



few lines on our lips, else when we grow old our 

 lips will shrivel, and we shall be so very ugly." 

 There is not nearly so much tattooing as formerly ; 

 but as it is a badge of distinction between the chief 

 and the slave, it will probably long be practised. 

 So soon does any train of ideas become habitual, 

 that the missionaries told me that even in their 

 eyes a plain face looked mean, and not like that 

 of a New Zealand gentleman. 



Late in the evening I went to Mr. Williams's 

 house, where I passed the night. I found there a 

 large party of children, collected together for 

 Christmas-day, and all sitting round a table at tea. 

 I never saw a nicer or more meny group ; and to 

 think that this was in the centre of the land of can- 

 nibalism, murder, and all atrocious crimes ! The 

 cordiality and happiness so plainly pictured in the 

 faces of the little circle, appeared equally felt by 

 the older persons of the mission. 



Decemher 2ith. — In the morning prayers were 

 read in the native tongue to the whole family. 

 After breakfast I rambled about the gardens and 

 farm. This was a market-day, when the natives 

 of the surrounding hamlets bring their potatoes, 

 Indian com, or pigs, to exchange for blankets, to- 

 bacco, and sometimes, through the persuasions of 

 the missionaries, for soap. Mr. Davies's eldest 

 son, who manages a farm of his own, is the man 

 of business in the market. The children of the 

 missionaries, who came while young to the island, 

 understand the language better than their parents, 

 and can get anything more readily done by the 

 natives. 



A little before noon, Messrs. Williams and Da- 

 vies walked with me to part of a neighbouring for- 

 est to show me the famous kauri pine. I meas- 

 ured one of these noble trees, and found it thirty- 

 II. 14 



