i835-] EFFECT OF IRONY. 415 



awkward fashion. A few of the principal chiefs have 

 decent suits of English clothes ; but these are only worn 

 on great occasions. 



December 2yd. — At a place called Waimate, about 

 fifteen miles from the Bay of Islands, and midway between 

 the eastern and western coasts, the missionaries have 

 purchased some land for agricultural purposes. I had 

 been introduced to the Rev. W. Williams, who, upon 

 my expressing a wish, Invited me to pay him a visit there. 

 Mr. Bushby, the British resident, offered to take me in 

 his boat by a creek, where I should see a pretty waterfall, 

 and by which means my walk would be shortened. He 

 likewise procured for me a guide. Upon asking a 

 neighbouringilJhief to recommend a man, the chief himself 

 offered to g* ; but his ignorance of the value of money 

 was so complete, that at first he asked how many pounds 

 I would give him, but afterwards was well contented 

 with two dollars. When I showed the chief a very small 

 bundle, which I wanted carried, it became absolutely 

 necessary for him to take a slave. These feelings of pride 

 are beginning to wear away ; but formerly a leading man 

 would sooner have died than undergone the indignity 

 of carrying the smallest burden. My companion was a 

 light active man, dressed in a dirty blanket, and with 

 his face completely tattooed. He had formerly been a 

 great warrior. He appeared to be on very cordial terms 

 with Mr. Bushby ; but at various times they had quarrelled 

 violently. Mr. Bushby remarked that a little quiet irony 

 would frequently silence any one of these natives in their 

 most blustering moments. This chief has come and 

 harangued Mr. Bushby in a hectoring manner, saying, 

 "A great chief, a great man, a friend of mine, has 

 come to pay me a visit — you must give him something 

 good to eat, some fine presents," etc. Mr. Bushby has 

 allowed him to finish his discourse, and then has quietly 

 replied by some such answer as, "What else shall youi 

 slave do for you?" The man would then instantly, with 

 :i very comical expression, cease his braggadocio. 



Some time ago, Mr. Bushby suffered a far more serious 

 attack. A chief and a party of men tried to break into his 

 house in the middle of the night, and not finding this so 

 easy, commenced a brisk firing with (heir muskets. Mr. 

 Bushby was slightly wounded ; but the party was at length 

 driven away. Shortly afterwards it was discovered who 



