1835. 



MR. NOTT 



— OTAHEITAN BIBLE. 



517 



shining on either side, or astern ; but if the sun is a-head, it is 

 almost impossible to distinguish the reefs, by the colour, or 

 relative smoothness of the water. Walking to the house of 

 Mr. Nott, I saw an elderly native writing in a cottage, and 

 apparently very intent upon his employment. He showed me 

 what had engaged his attention, an Otaheitan version of the 

 book of Jeremiah, in Mr. Nott's writing, Avhich he was copy- 

 ing in a very distinct, good hand. 



Mr. Nott, the senior missionary upon the island, had then 

 almost completed a great work, the translation of the Bible.* 

 When we consider the judgment and persevering industry 

 required to translate the Bible from one written language into 

 another, it becomes easier to obtain a fair conception of the 

 labour necessary to fix, and make proper use of an unwritten, 

 and very peculiar language, in order to effect such a work,^a 

 work worthy of the fathers of our church. I paid my respects 

 to the author of this immense undertaking, and asked his advice 

 and opinion respecting the affairs in which I was instructed to 

 take a part, while on the island. 



In the course of another visit to Papiete, I again met the 

 titular king of Nuhahiva, and told him my suspicions, so 

 plainly, that he said he should appeal to the governor of New 

 South Wales, to the Admiralty, and to the king of England 

 himself, against the unjust suspicions and improper conduct of 

 the captain of the Beagle ! 



Since the 17th the weather had been too cloudy, by night 

 and by day, to admit of astronomical observations. Instead of 

 fine clear weather, there was a thickly overcast sky, and only 

 light and variable wind. From the latter end of December to 

 the beginning of March cloudy weather (with much rain, and 

 westerly winds) is usual at Otaheite. Singular interruptions to 



* This noble work is completed. I have now lying by me a copy of 

 the entire Bible, in the lang"uage of Otaheite, translated and compiled by 

 Mr. Nott, who has just sailed from England on his return to Otaheite, 

 carrying with him an ample number of copies of the Book of Books. I 

 felt deeply gratified by that good man's kindness in giving me one of the 

 first copies which were printed. 



