190 SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



height excited our astonishment and wonder ; the summits 

 rose far above the highest clouds, and for several thousand 

 feet down were covered with snow, which, when the sun rose, 

 glistened and sparkled with a degree of brilliancy that almost 

 blinded the beholder. This mighty scene recalled the follow- 

 ing effusion to which Moore was excited on a similar occasion : 



" No, never shall I lose the trace 

 Of what I've felt in this bright place ; 

 And should my spirit's hope grow weak, 

 Should I, God ! e'er doubt thy power, 

 This mighty scene again I'll seek, 

 At this same calm and glooming hour. 

 And here at the sublimest shrine 

 That nature ever reared to thee, 

 Re-kindle all that hope divine 

 And feel my immortality !" 



At sunset the natives* assembled on the forecastle, and at 

 our request gave us a specimen of their wrestling. Forming 

 a ring, one of them stepped in the centre with his arms ex- 

 tended ; he was immediately approached by another from the 

 opposite side, not in the usual step, but by crossing the legs 

 alternately ; he then brought both feet together, and com- 

 menced making a variety of motions with his hands. After 

 this, which lasted about five minutes, each seized the other by 

 the wrist and neck, and by a variety of movements made by 

 the arms and feet, continued to struggle until one of the 

 parties was thrown. 



During the night, many meteors were observed. It is 

 impossible for language to paint the glories of the firmament 

 in clear moonlight nights among these islands. They surpass 

 any I have ever witnessed in other parts of the globe. 



* While at Oahoo, numbers of these people were shipped on board the different 

 vessels of the squadron, for the purpose of employing them in the boats. 



