192 NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY 



fort, too, which fronts the ocean, with its clean, white washed walls, 

 and cannon frowning from the embrazures, adds very much to 

 the effect of the scene ; while behind, the noble hills and fertile 

 valleys between, clothed with the richest verdure, soften down 

 and mellow the whole, and render the prospect indescribably 

 beautiful. 



On nearing the shore, we observed some scores of curiously 

 formed canoes, with large outriggers, which had just put off, and 

 were bound out on a fishing excursion. A number of these 

 passed close to our vessel, and usually paused when opposite, 

 that the denuded mariners might have an opportunity of survey- 

 ing the strangers, and of bidding them welcome to their shores, 

 by a loud and gay Aroha. Near the land a number of natives, 

 of both sexes, were swimming and playing in the surf, and 

 diving to the bottom searching for echince, and sea weeds, re- 

 maining under the water for a considerable time, while their 

 heels were seen moving to and fro above the surface. 



Our brig soon entered the narrow channel, opposite the harbor, 

 and with a light, but steady breeze, stood in close to the town 

 and let go her anchor within a hundred yards of the shore. As 

 we were about leaving the vessel, Captain Charlton, H. B. M. 

 consul, and Captain W. Darby of the H. B. Co.'s brig Eagle 

 came on board, and gave Mr. N. and myself a passage to the 

 shore in their boat. They walked with us to the house of Mr. 

 Jones, the American consul, to whom T had a letter from my 

 friend Doctor M. Burrough, of Philadelphia. We were received 

 by this gentleman in a manner calculated to make us feel per- 

 fectly at home ; a good and comfortable house was immediately 

 provided for us, and every assistance was offered in forwarding 

 ourviews. We dined at the sumptuous table of W.French, Esq., an 

 American gentleman, and one of the most thriving merchants of 

 the town, and were here introduced to several highly respectable 

 foreign residents, Captain E. Grimes, Doctor Thomas, Dr. Rooke, 



