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CHARLES DARWIN 



Several young men, redeemed by the missionaries from 

 slavery, were employed on the farm. They were dressed in 

 a shirt, jacket, and trousers, and had a respectable appear- 

 ance. Judging from one trifling anecdote, I should think 

 they must be honest. When walking in the fields, a young 

 labourer came up to Mr. Davies, and gave him a knife and 

 gimlet, saying that he had found them on the road, and did 

 not know to whom they belonged! These young men and 

 boys appeared very merry and good-humoured. In the even- 

 ing I saw a party of them at cricket: when I thought of the 

 austerity of which the missionaries have been accused, I was 

 amused by observing one of their own sons taking an active 

 part in the game. A more decided and pleasing change was 

 manifested in the young women, who acted as servants within 

 the houses. Their clean, tidy, and healthy appearance, like 

 that of the dairy-maids in England, formed a wonderful 

 contrast with the women of the filthy hovels in Kororadika. 

 The wives of the missionaries tried to persuade them not to 

 be tattooed; but a famous operator having arrived from the 

 south, they said, " We really must just have a few lines on 

 our lips ; else when we grow old, our lips will shrivel, and we 

 shall be so very ugly." There is not nearly so much tattooing 

 as formerly; but as it is a badge of distinction between the 

 chief and the slave, it will probably long be practised. So 

 soon does any train of ideas become habitual, that the mis- 

 sionaries told me that even in their eyes a plain face looked 

 mean, and not like that of a New Zealand gentleman. 



Late in the evening I went to Mr. Williams's house, where 

 I passed the night. I found there a large party of children, 

 collected together for Christmas Day, and all sitting round 

 a table at tea. I never saw a nicer or more merry group ; and 

 to think that this was in the centre of the land of cannibal- 

 ism, murder, and all atrocious crimes ! The cordiality and 

 happiness so plainly pictured in the faces of the little circle, 

 appeared equally felt by the older persons of the mission. 



December 24th. — In the morning, prayers were read in 

 the native tongue to the whole family. After breakfast I 

 rambled about the gardens and farm. This was a market- 

 day, when the natives of the surrounding hamlets bring their 

 potatoes, Indian corn, or pigs, to exchange for blankets, 



