Fotuna. 89 
* 
this extraordinary island as we approached and rounded it, 
and had an opportunity also of making a sketch, which will 
give a better idea of its appearance than twenty pages of mere 
description would. 
It is a huge table-topped mountain, fifteen miles in circum- 
ference, rising abruptly from the sea to a height of 2000 feet. 
Upon its sides, apparently bare and precipitous, a population 
of goo natives exist—a fact that appears to be almost an im- 
possibility upon first seeing the place from a distance. On ap- 
proaching the island, however, and observing it closely, small 
fertile ravines open out, little flats covered with rich vegetation 
appear; while along the beach and in every nook and corner 
the lofty head of the palm-tree may be seen. These fertile 
spots the natives cultivate with great assiduity, and though 
sometimes rather hard put to for food, generally manage’ to 
have plenty. 
Upon this island the Rev. Mr. Copeland and family have re- 
sided for upwards of six years ; and a very lonely, buried-alive 
sort of life it must be, for their only reliable means of com- 
munication with the civilized world is the ‘ Dayspring,’ which 
visits them but once or twice in the year. 
When we rounded the island and hove-to opposite Mr. C.’s 
house, we could observe a great commotion on the beach, 
natives rushing about and canoes being launched. Several of 
these came towards us, paddled swiftly by strong and dexterous 
arms, and in one of the foremost was seated the worthy mis- 
sionary himself. While Mr. Copeland was receiving news of 
the principal events of the.last few months, I went ashore in 
the first boat going, and on landing found myself confronted 
by a crowd of Fotunese—the first real savages I had ever met 
with. They did not impress me very favourably; for a real 
savage, when standing within a few feet of the observer, is not 
a pretty object, however picturesque he may appear when 
