512 



INTERIOR OF HOUSE — POINT VENUS. 



Nov. 



light straw colour, aids the smooth, round purau in agree- 

 ably surprising the eye of a stranger by a new kind of archi- 

 tecture, as admirable as it is simple. Around the house, instead 

 of a wall, are strong canes, regularly placed between the sup- 

 porting posts, at distances (one or two inches) equal to the 

 diameter of the canes ; they are driven into the ground, and 

 secured to the roof ; one opening only is left for a door. Within 

 are some screens of native cloth, or framed bed-places, or simply 

 mats spread upon dry grass. There are a few low stools, some 

 baskets^ joints of bamboo holding cocoa-nut oil, and calabashes 

 with water, besides a variety of smaller things, which I had 

 not time to examine. What house in a tropical climate could 

 be more agreeable than one of these elegant wicker-work cot- 

 tages, shaded round by large trees, and profiting by the fresh 

 air of every breeze ? 



Pretty shades for the face (they cannot be called hats, as they 

 encircle and project from, without covering the head) are made 

 with the palm -leaves. When fresh, adorned by white, or deep 

 red flowers, and tastefully placed, this head-dress is unique and 

 pleasing. 



Perhaps my eyes were prejudiced in favour of features and 

 complexion ; for the shambling gait and flat noses of the native 

 women had no charms for me. I saw no beauty among them ; 

 and either they are not as handsome as they were said to be, or 

 my ideas are fastidious. The men, on the other hand, exceed 

 every idea formed from the old descriptions. 



On this day, with us the l6th, but to agree with the reckon- 

 ing of Otaheite and those who came from the west, changed to 

 the 17th, I was fully occupied in making observations upon 

 the spot where once stood Cook's observatory, a classical, and 

 to us, important place. Upon the situation of this celebrated 

 point, Venus, depend most of the geographical positions of 

 islands in the South Sea ; and its locality upon our globe 

 has been deemed well known. Messrs. Wales, Green, and 

 Bayley are particularly entitled to the greatest share of credit 

 for having by their observations attained to so great a degree 

 of accuracy. 



