A Letter on Otaheite. 289 



To show you, however, the gradual and surprising connection, 

 which exists throughout of the whole of it, and which descends in 

 gradual progression from the contemplation of the most sublime ob- 

 jects, even to the most minute details, and which inculcates the be- 

 lief that a man cannot take even a single step, without meeting his 

 God, and the angels, or some other divinities in his walk, it must 

 suffice to remark, that, in this religion, which refers every thing to 

 the action of divine power, not only the whole world is animated by 

 the divine presence, and with guardian spirits, which watch over 

 man and keep him on his guard ; but, every action, every circum- 

 stance, even to the most minute action in life, is submitted to their 

 superintendence, and is done under their auspices. As I cannot 

 here descend to minute particulars, I will conclude with a last short 

 extract from ray manuscript, which will serve to confirm what I 

 have mentioned above. 



" But besides these Gods, which are the inhabitants of the high- 

 er regions, and are the invisible overseers of all creatures, as well as 

 of all the productions of the earth, they have an infinite number of 

 inferior divinities, which dwell in the waters, in the forests, in the 

 mountains, precipices and caverns. They have their Dryads, and 

 their Naiads, and in fine, there is not another people on earth, whose 

 glowing imaginations, have created such an immense number of in- 

 visible and superior beings. In the enchanting scenery, and under 

 the fervid climate of these Islands, all nature, thus animated with di- 

 vinities and intelligences, gives a force and ardor to their religious 

 worship, and a reality to the objects of it, of which, it is difficult for 

 others to conceive. In these Islands, a native does not find himself 

 alone, in the thickets, and among the rocks ; echo is a god, that an- 

 swers, when he calls ; the thunders, are the voice of Oro, in his an- 

 ger ; the lightnings, are the glances of his eyes. The winds, that 

 howl and roar ; the earth that quakes and trembles ; the sea that 

 swells and rolls, are Ru or Mahui, provoked to anger ; even the 

 hollow tree, and the whispering reeds have their divinities present 

 with them, who see them and keep watch over them, for the pur- 

 pose of punishment, or protection. 



I remain, Sir, &ic. 



P. S. At your request, I subjoin the title of my work, with the 

 contents of the different chapters. 



Vol. XXIX.— No 2. 37 



