266 On the Volcanic Character of the Island of Hawaii. 



the natural history of the country where he was residing, and 

 they certainly do much credit both to his industry and discri- 

 mination. It is with great pleasure that we add our warm 

 commendation of the late effort of the missionaries. Situated 

 in a remote island, in the vast expanse of the Pacific, intensely 

 and ardently occupied in their great object, — the moral im- 

 provement and civilization of the natives ; — remote from the 

 lights of science, and subjected to physical privations both 

 frequent and severe, we certainly owe them many thanks for 

 the great amount of valuable information which they have, in* 

 cidetitally, contributed on the subject of the natural history of 

 one of the most remarkable volcanic regions in the world. 

 They have, in a very pleasing manner, blended scientific in- 

 struction with moral; and both the scientific and religious 

 world will unite in expressing their acknowledgements to the 

 missionaries. It is a happy illustration of the importance of 

 uniting scientific and religious qualifications in the character 

 of the missionary : and in our view, every important mission — 

 especially in a terra incognita, (and there are many such,) 

 should be furnished with good observers and good instru- 

 ments to illustrate the different branches of natural history 

 and of physical science. It is no offence to the higher and 

 more appropriate objects, to add, that dignity is thus shed 

 on the mission, both in the view of the natives and in that 

 of the civilized communities of Christian countries. We are 

 confident that many persons will peruse the late Journal of 

 the missionaries, in Hawaii, because it imparts so much inci- 

 dental information, while no intelligent person, of whatever 

 feelings or sentiments, will wish the amount of that informa- 

 tion diminished. 



Mineralogy and geology, botany and zoology, astronomy 

 and geography, philology, antiquities and history, may derive 

 very important aid from the missionaries, as indeed valuable 

 information has often been obtained from them in years that 

 are past. 



We are gratified also with the Journal of the tour around 

 Hawaii, on account of the manner in which it is written. It 

 is a manly, perspicuous, common-sense book, and (very judi- 

 ciously in our view) omits the colloquial epithets of personal 

 affection, with which missionaries are wont to clothe their nar- 

 ratives, and which, although perfectly proper in private com- 

 munications, appear trite and formal in the view of the world. 



The missionaries did not forget to avail themselves of their 

 superior knowledge, to enlighten, as far as possible, the dark 

 intelligence of the Hawaiians, as to the origin of volcanoes 

 from physical causes, operating according to the laws impressed 



on 



