MISSION TO MAOPONGO. 
did not choose to have a rival among his own 
subjects. He delivered, therefore, the smith-god 
into the hands of the missionaries, to be reduced 
to a mortal, in any manner which they might 
deem expedient. Finding argument vain, they 
had speedy recourse to their ultima ratio — the 
whip. All the votaries of Vulcan fled, when they 
saw their master reduced to such an extremity. 
He himself, however, continued to assert his dig- 
nity, till the blood began to stream from his back 
and shoulders, when he feelingly admitted that 
there was one God only, and that one, not him- 
self. In order to impress this important truth 
more deeply on his mind, the missionaries con- 
tinued the " salutary flagellation" for some time 
longer, when they at length dismissed him. 
The missionaries, finding now that they had lost 
all credit and favour, both with court and people, 
judged it advisable to return to Massignano. 
The two following Narratives by the Italian mis- 
sionaries, Carli and Merolla, are given in much 
greater detail than those of their predecessors ; 
and though tinged with equal credulity and super- 
stition, appear to present a considerable portion 
both of curious information and amusing incident. 
In 1666, Pope Alexander VII. sent out two 
Capuchin friars, Michael Angelo of Rheggio? 
