TAHITI AND EI ME O. 57 



are always kept burning in their houses at night, are made of the 

 shell of a cocoa-nut. The wick is formed of wild cotton, and is kept 

 upright in the centre of the bowl by two elastic strips of cocoa-nut 

 leaf crossing: each other at right anodes. 



Sugar is beginning to attract attention, and some attempts have 

 also been made in the culture and preparation of indigo. 



Making straw or chip hats is a favourite occupation among the 

 women, whose former employment of making tapa has, as was stated 

 in the preceding chapter, been much diminished by the introduction 

 of European fashions. 



I have also before referred to the abortive attempt of the mis- 

 sionaries to introduce machinery for the manufacture of cotton, which 

 will be again mentioned in speaking of the island of Eimeo, where 

 the experiment was made. 



Before closing my remarks on Tahiti, I consider it my duty to say 

 a few words in relation to the transgression of the local laws by many 

 of the vessels which visit it, and some of which, I regret to be 

 compelled to confess, bear the flag of the United States. I have 

 particular reference to the license always allowed to the crews, and 

 in which the masters and officers often themselves indulge, in making 

 brothels of their ships. They also do not scruple to retail ardent 

 spirits to the natives, although they well know that it is contrary to a 

 law of the island, most strictly enforced on shore. Such conduct not 

 unfrequently gives rise to difficulties very prejudicial to the interests 

 of the owners ; but it is still more disgraceful when considered in its 

 destructive effect upon the people whose hospitality they are enjoy- 

 ing, and as a practice that they would not dare to indulge in, when 

 in the ports of any civilized nation. 



The influence of the example of these visiters upon the natives is 

 demoralizing in the extreme, is calculated to retard their advancement 

 in civilization, and throws countless difficulties and obstructions in the 

 way of the laudable exertions of the missionaries. 



Little idea can be formed by those who have not witnessed it, of 

 the extent to which the practice of vending spirits is carried, not only 

 at Tahiti, but throughout the Polynesian islands. I am satisfied, 

 that if the owners of the vessels which indulge in it were aware of 

 the traffic, and had a just sense of their own interest, they would 

 interdict the sale of this pernicious article, and prohibit the carriage 

 of it in their ships. 



Captain Hudson, who was much troubled with the illicit supply of 



VOL. II. 15 



