508 



NEW ZEALAND. 



Dec. 1835. 



yet, as the evening drew to a close, the domestic sounds, the 

 fields of corn, the distant country with its trees now appear- 

 ing like pasture-land, all might well be mistaken for some 

 part of it. Nor was it the triumphant feeling at seeing what 

 Englishmen could effect, but it was something of far more 

 consequence ; the object for which this labour had been 

 bestowed — the moral effect on the aborigines of this fine 

 country. 



The missionary system here appears to me different from 

 that of Tahiti; much more attention is there paid to reli- 

 gious instruction, and to the direct improvement of the mind ; 

 here, more to the arts of civilization. I do not doubt that in 

 both cases, the same object is kept in view. Judging from the 

 success alone, I should rather lean to the Tahiti side ; pro- 

 bably, however, each system is best adapted to the country 

 where it is followed. The mind of a Tahitian is certainly 

 one of a higher order ; and on the other hand, the New Zea- 

 lander, not being able to pluck from the tree that shades his 

 house the bread-fruit and banana, would naturally turn his 

 attention with more readiness to the arts. When comparing^ 

 the state of New Zealand with that of Tahiti, it should 

 always be remembered, that from the respective forms of 

 government of the two countries, the missionaries here have 

 had to labour at a task, many times more difficult. The 

 reviewer of Mr. Earle's travels in the Quarterly Journal, by 

 pointing out a more advantageous line of conduct for the 

 missionaries, evidently considers that too much attention has 

 been paid to rehgious instruction, in proportion to other 

 subjects. This opinion being so very different from the one 

 at which I arrived, any third person hearing the two sides, 

 would probably conclude, that the missionaries had been the 

 best judges, and had chosen the right path. 



Several young men were employed about the farm, who 

 had been brought up by the missionaries ; having been re- 

 deemed by them from slavery. They were dressed in a shirt, 

 jacket and trousers, and had a respectable appearance. Judg- 

 ing from one trifling anecdote, I should think they must be 



