Lfistory of the “ Dayspring. 59 
the islands beyond, for evangelising purposes ; and, more than 
once, the “ Dayspring” took several married couples as far 
west as the New Hebrides for christian work—but it may be 
added, that the experiment has not been much of a success. 
Several influences operated against it. The languages of 
Eastern and Western Polynesia are utterly unlike. Although, 
strange to say, the language of Eastern Polynesia, from New 
Zealand to the Sandwich islands, is virtually one; yet from 
Figi, westwards, there is a new language—not only in every 
group, but also in every island. Then, there is a difference of 
race: the long-haired, yellow-coloured, tall Malay race, typified 
in the Maori, and inhabiting Eastern Polynesia, is altogether 
different from the woolly-haired, black-skinned, thick-set, 
almost-negro race found!in the groups nearer Australia and 
New Guinea; And yet again, the damp climate of the western 
islands tells fatally on the softer constitution of the eastern race. 
Few of the native teachers taken from the eastern groups have 
survived for any number of years, and it is therefore understood 
that the practice is to be discontinued. The missionaries on the 
New Hebrides group, though yearning for the assistance of the 
more advanced native christians of the eastern groups, feel 
that they must henceforth depend wholly on native teachers 
reared by themselves. 
Such had been the success of the visit of the “ Dayspring ” 
to Geelong in 1870, that it was resolved to send her to the 
outer western ports of Victoria in 1871. To the west of Cape 
Otway there are no harbours, strictly so called ; but there are 
three bays—Warrnambool, Belfast, and Portland, at each of 
which there are considerable townships, with a back-country 
well peopled:. and it was thought advisable that during her 
stay in Australia in 1871, the mission vessel should visit the 
places named, and by her presence appeal to the children of 
these districts on behalf of the mission. It is a curious fact, 
that the further west you go in Victoria the more Presbyterian 
