304 NEW GUINEA. [chap, xxxiv. 



customs, and then endeavoured to show how these customs 

 might be gradually modified, so as to be more healthful 

 and more agreeable. A few energetic and devoted men 

 acting in this way might probably effect a decided moral 

 improvement on the lowest savage tribes, whereas trading 

 missionaries, teaching what Jesus said, but not doing as 

 He did, can scarcely be expected to do more than give 

 them a very little of the superficial varnish of religion. 



Dorey harbour is in a fine bay, at one extremity of 

 which an elevated point juts out, and, with two or three 

 small islands, forms a sheltered anchorage. The only vessel 

 it contained when we arrived was a Dutch brig, laden with 

 coals for the use of a war-steamer, which was expected 

 daily, on an exploring expedition along the coasts of Ifew 

 Guinea, for the purpose of fixing on a locality for a colony. 

 In the evening we paid it a visit, and landed at the village 

 of Dorey, to look out for a place where I could build my 

 house. Mr. Otto also made arrangements for me with 

 some of the native chiefs, to send men to cut wood, 

 rattans, and bamboo the next day. 



The villages of Mansinam and Dorey presented some 

 features quite new to me. The houses all stand com- 

 pletely in the water, and are reached by long rude 

 bridges. They are very low, with the roof shaped like 

 a large boat, bottom upwards. The posts which suj^port 

 the houses, bridges, and platforms are small crooked 



