350 MISSIONARY ESTABLISHMENT. 



years ago. They were quite different in appearance 

 from the natives, and some of the women were very 

 good looking. In returning to the ship, we examined 

 an old Dutch fort built on the beach, but now in a 

 very dilapidated state. It consisted simply of a 

 square building, with bastions at the opposite 

 angles. At sunset we made sail for Letti, off which 

 we anchored the next day, in 13 fathoms ; half a 

 mile north of the Missionary establishment ; where 

 we found a resident minister and his family, 

 and two others from another part of the island 

 staying with them. A visit from Europeans was, 

 to them, an event of rare occurrence, and must 

 have been an interesting break in their mono- 

 tonous lives ; — they had been very successful 

 in their labours, and had converted many of the 

 natives. They had several establishments on the 

 island ; the one we visited consisted of a church, 

 school house, and house for the missionary ; the 

 church had been built more than 100 years, and 

 was a very substantial edifice. The school appeared 

 to be well attended by the native children. 



The island of Letti, which is about 10 miles in 

 extent, had also suffered much from the want of rain, 

 but was fast recovering its green appearance. A 

 high ridge of hills extends along the centre of the 

 island from east to west; the sides of which, sloping 

 gradually towards the sea, are covered with trees, 

 and the whole island presents an appearance of 

 great fertility. The anchorage off Letti, which we 



