1835. 



NATIVES HEADING SCHOOL. 



545 



with one or two other grave performances, passed off very well, 

 but, to the perplexing of Mr. Pritchard and surprise of the 

 Otaheitans, a merry comic song was struck up, which obliged 

 Mr. Pritchard to answer the queen's inquiries plainly, by 

 saying, " No, that was not a hymn,'^ it was " sea singing." 

 ' God save the King ^ sounded more gravely, and suited better. 



W e landed the party almost at their own doors, and if they 

 were half as well pleased as we were, our little preparations 

 had not been a waste of time and trouble. Their behaviour 

 on board was extremely correct : their habits and manners per- 

 fectly inoffensive. No doubt they are improving yearly, and 

 the example of the missionary families has an influence over 

 them, exceeding that of very differently disposed people by 

 whom they are too frequently visited. 



26th. At daylight this morning some of us visited the 

 school. As I had heard of ' compulsion "* and other absurdi- 

 ties, I went early to get there before Mr. Pritchard arrived, 

 without having hinted at such an intention. 



About the large chapel or church, groups of elderly and 

 old people were sitting by threes and fours in a place, helping 

 each other to read the New Testament. While one read the 

 others listened, and, if able, corrected him. One man not less 

 than fifty years of age, was learning to read, with spectacles. 

 Some came in, others went out, just as they chose, for there was 

 not any one even to watch them till Mr. Pritchard came : and 

 during about an hour after sunrise, every day, those people, 

 both women and men, thus instructed one another, previous 

 to beginning their daily out-of-door labours. 



In the school-house I found a number of children, waiting 

 for their teacher, who soon arrived and gave them their tasks. 

 t The greater part of them wrote sentences on slates from his 

 dictation, with ease and correctness. One sentence he gave 

 them was, ' the captain wishes you happiness,' which they 

 wrote instantly, and some of their own accord added, ' and 

 we wish happiness to the captain."* The handwriting of many, 

 indeed most of the elder girls and boys, was very good : and 

 to verbal questions they replied readily. They seemed to be 

 in good discipline, and yet a merrier or more cheerful looking 



VOL. II. 2 N 



