CoLENSO. — Manibus Parkivsonibus sacrum. 117 



Intelligence tliroiigliout several species of animals, and different genera of 

 plants in the vegetable system, — ' from the cedar that is in Lebanon, even 

 unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall ;' and the more we investigate 

 the more we ought to admire the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Great 

 Superintendent of the universe ; which attributes are amply displayed 

 throughout all his works ; the smallest object seen through the microscope 

 declares its origin to be divine, as well as those larger ones which the 

 unassisted eye is capable of contemplating : but to proceed. We saw Cape 

 Horn at first at about five leagues distance, which, contrary to our expecta- 

 tions, we doubled with as little danger as the North Foreland on the Kentish 

 coast ; the heavens were fair, the wind temperate, the weather pleasant, and 

 being within one mile of the shore, we had a more distinct view of this coast 

 than perhaps any former voyagers have had on this ocean." 



His mention of then- landing at Tahiti, and what soon followed, is 

 entertaining : — " In the morning we went ashore and pitched the marquee ; 

 Mr. Banks, the captain, and myself took a walk in the woods, and were 

 afterwards joined by Mr. Hicks (the first lieutenant) and Mr. Green (the 

 astronomer). While we were walking and enjoying the rm-al scene, we 

 heard the report of some fire-arms, and presently saw the natives fleeing 

 into the woods like frighted fawns, carrying with them their little movables. 

 Alarmed at this unexpected event, we immediately quitted the wood and 

 made to the side of the river, where we saw several of our men, who had 

 been left to guard the tent, pursuing the natives, who were terrified to the 

 last degree ; some of them skulked behind the bushes, and others leaped 

 into the river. Hearing the shot rattle amongst the branches of the trees 

 over my head, I thought it not safe to continue there any longer, and fled to 

 the tent, where I soon learned the cause of the catastrophe. A sentinel 

 being off his guard, one of the natives snatched a musket out of his hand, 

 which occasioned the fray. A boy, a midshipman, was the commanding 

 officer, and giving orders to fire, they obeyed with the greatest glee 

 imaginable, as if they had been shooting at wild ducks, killed one stout 

 man, and wounded many others. What a pity that such brutality should 

 be exercised by civilized people upon unarmed, ignorant Indians ! When 

 Mr. Banks heard of the affair, he was highly displeased, saying, ' If we 

 quarrelled with those Indians we should not agree with angels ;' and he did 

 all he could to accommodate the difference, going across the river, and, 

 through the mediation of an old man, prevailed on many of the natives to 

 come over to us, bearing plantain trees (which is a signal of peace amongst 

 them), and, claiDping their hands tq their breasts, cried 'Tyau!' which 

 signifies friendship. They sat down by us, sent for cocoa-nuts, and we 

 di'ank the milk with them. They were very social, more so than could have 



