THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 28? 



springing from the water's edge, these islands rise 

 up from the sea in tall cliffs, or gentle slopes, while 

 the towering mountains of the interior, wooded to 

 their summits, pierce the clouds. " The mountains 

 frequently diverge in short ranges from the interior 

 towards the shore, though some rise like pyramids 

 with pointed summits, and others present a conical 

 or sugar-loaf form, while the outline of several 

 is regular, and almost circular." In some places 

 the mountain ranges terminate in abrupt precipices 

 frowning over the Pacific, that frets and foams be- 

 low; in others, there is a broad belt of level land, 

 of the most fertile character, and rich in the va- 

 rious productions of a tropical region. To these are 

 now added charms of another character. When 

 visited by Cook, there was the loveliness and mag- 

 nificence of Nature, but that was all ; man was evil ; 

 plunged in the grossest idolatry, cruelty, and licen- 

 tiousness, he strangely contrasted with the scenes 

 around him : but, now that the glad tidings of sal- 

 vation through the Lord Jesus Christ have been, 

 by the grace of God, made known to them, how 

 incomparably is the scene enhanced ! The wretched 

 hut is exchanged for the neat and picturesque cot- 

 tage; cultivated fields and pleasant gardens chequer 

 the mountain sides ; the sound of the axe and ham- 

 mer has replaced the savage war-cry, and the peace- 

 ful people flock to the worship of the true God, 

 instead of a licentious dance before a hideous idol. 

 O, how far does the moral beauty of such a change 

 as this exceed the beauty of mere natural scenery, 

 though it be lovely as is that of Tahiti! Captain 



