286 A Letter on Otaheite. 



its will not permit. You see how noble they are in expressiorr, in 

 this simple, yet harmonious language ; how magnificent in their 

 thoughts and images ; yet, I can assure you, I find a difficulty in 

 transfusing their full force into my translation. 



Having in this manner, described this great being and his attri- 

 butes, they pass to the instant when he is in the act of forming, or~ 

 arranging the universe, and uniting together the elements of which 

 it is formed ; which, it should be observed, agreeably to their opin- 

 ions, constituted part of himself, and that he organized and arranged 

 them, but being part of himself, they were self-existent, and not 

 created. The passage is as follows, Tah-hah-ro-ah speaks or calls. 



" Ye pivots ; (^axes of orbits, centres of circles, supports orpro'ps) 

 Ye stones ; {or rocJcs, or foundations) Ye sands ; [or elements, or 

 atoms !) 



[They answer instantaneously.) Here we are. (He speaks, or 

 calls again.) Ye that are to form this new world, draw nigh." 

 Then he pressed them together, {as if with his hands ;) then he 

 pressed them together again with greater force, but they would not 

 adhere, {or coalesce.) Then with his right hand, [as if with im- 

 mense power) he cast forth [or spread abroad) the seven heavens, 

 to form the first basis, [foundation or firmament,) and light was 

 created. There was no longer any darkness ; every thing became 

 visible; and the interior of the universe became illuminated. Tah- 

 hah-ro-ah stopped [or rested^ gazing, rapt in delight [or, well pleas- 

 ed) with the sight of this vast interior. Immobility exists no long- 

 er. The office of messengers, now ceases. The office of the speak- 

 ers is performed. The axes [or pivots of the orbits) are fixed, or 

 supported ; the seats [or beds) of the rocks [or foundations) are 

 laid ; the sands [earth, or atoms) are placed. The heavenly con- 

 stellations revolve ; the heavens are elevated ; the sea is in its depths ; 

 the creation of the universe is finished." 



In an article in ray intended publication, in which I treat of the 

 antiquity of this people, I have made the following remarks in rela- 

 tion to the preceding extracts from their traditions. 



" However obscure one or two phrases, or expressions, used in 

 the above passages, may be, the reader will readily perceive, that 

 they are not the language of a mere savage, dancing on the bank 

 of a river, or brandishing his arms in defiance of his enemies. On 

 the contrary, it is the language of a Zoroaster — of a Pythagoras — 

 of a recluse philosopher, who has long been engaged in contempla- 



