344 THE CRUISE OF TEE ' GUBAQOA.' 



in earthenware pots manufactured by the women, and it is 

 a ciu'ious fact tliat earthenware jars are not found in any 

 otlier islands except tlie Fijis and Espiritu-Sauto. They 

 have no intoxicating ava, but drink enormous quantities of 

 salt-water. It appears that they have only one meal a thiy. 

 The missionaries are so little inclined to attribute the 

 defects, vices, or crimes of the natives to any other cause 

 than their heathenism, that it is with some surprise we find 

 the Eev. Mr. Murray declaring that if tlie New Caledonians 

 of the present day no longer deserve tlie encomiums which 

 Captain Cook passed upon them, the probability is that the 

 'altered conduct of the natives is to be cliarged chiefly to 

 the account of their visitors ; ' and such is his opinion of 

 tliat conduct as to make it seem to him ' a wonder tliat 

 they do not kill every white man tliat places himself in 

 their power.' ' Nothing, indeed, could be more courteous 

 and friendly than tlie reception whicli Cook and his party 

 met with. They were guided and accompanied in their 

 excursions by the natives, who evinced not the least un- 

 easiness at theii- presence. He found the Hat plain between 

 the beach and the hills filled Avith villages ' finely culti- 

 vated,' and watered ' by little rills, conducted by art fi'om 

 the main stream, whose source was in the hills.' The huts, 

 which resembled beehives in shape, were fountl to be 

 insupportable within. In their general effect they had a 

 neat appearance externally, with oinamental work on their 



' Missious in Western I\)lyiicsi;i, ]i. ■2i)9. 



