288 THE OCEAN. 
Gambier has thus described his emotions on visit- 
ing these scenes:—‘ After passing the reef of coral 
which forms the harbour, astonishment and delight 
kept us silent for some moments, and were succeeded 
by a burst of unqualified approbation at the scene 
before us. We were in an excellent harbour, upon 
whose shores industry and comfort were plainly per- 
ceptible; for in every direction, white cottages, pre- 
cisely English, were seen peeping from amongst the 
rich foliage which everywhere clothes the lowland 
in these islands. Upon various little elevations be- 
yond these, were others, which gave extent and 
animation to the whole. The point on the left, 
in going in,* is low, and covered with wood, with 
several cottages along the shore. On the right, 
the high land of the interior slopes down with 
gentle, gradual descent, and terminates in an ele- 
vated point, which juts out into the harbour, form- 
ing two little bays. The principal and largest is 
to the left, viewing them from seaward; in this, 
and extending up the valley, the village is situ- 
ated. The other, which is small, has only a few 
houses; but so quiet, so retired, that it seems the 
abode of peace and perfect content. Industry flou- 
rishes here. The chiefs take a pride in building 
their own houses, which are now all after the Euro- 
pean manner; and think meanly of themselves, if 
they do not excel the lower classes in the arts 
necessary for their construction. Their wives, also, 
surpass their inferiors in making cloth. The queen 
* The captain is speaking of the harbour of Fa-re, in the island of 
Huaheine. 
