THE TACIFIC OCE.\_N. 271 



cry, and the peaceful people flock to the worship of 

 the true God, instead of a licentious dance before a 

 hideous idoL 0, 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 Gambler has thus described his 

 emotions on visiting these scenes : — " After passing 

 the reef of coral which forms the harbour, astonish- 

 ment and delight kept us silent for some moments, 

 and were succeeded by a burst of unqualified appro- 

 bation at the scene before us. We were in an excellent 

 harbour, upon whose shores industry and comfort were 

 plainly perceptible; for in every direction, white cot- 

 tages, precisely English.were seen peeping from amongst 

 the rich foliage which everywhere clothes the lowland 

 in these islands. Upon various little elevations beyond 

 these, were others, which gave extent and animation 

 to the whole. The point on the left, in going in,* is 

 low, and covered with wood, with several cottages 

 along the shore. On the right, the high land of the 

 interior slopes down with gentle, gradual descent, and 

 terminates in an elevated point, which juts out into 

 the harbour, forming two little bays. The principal 

 and largest is to the left, viewing them from seaward ; 

 in this, and extending up the valley, the village is 

 situated. The other, wliich is small, has only a few 

 houses ; but so quiet, so retired, that it seems the 

 abode of peace and perfect content. Industry flourishes 

 here. The chiefs take a pride in building their own 

 houses, which are now all after the European manner ; 



* The captain ia speaking of the harbour of Fa-re iu the island 

 of Huaheine. 



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