1832.] 
kruzenstbrn's island. 
425 
' This group of islands, which is very numerous, was visited 
by Captain Cook in seventeen hundred and sixty-nine. They 
are situated between latitude 16° 10' and 16° 55' south; and be- 
tween longitude 150° 57' and 152° west. The principal island 
of the group was called Otaheite by Captain Cook, but the na- 
tives pronounce it Tahiti. No authentic knowledge of this island, 
however, was obtained, until Captain Walhs, in the Dolphin, crossed 
the Pacific, about sixty years ago. He anchored in Matavia Bay, 
on the nineteenth of June, seventeen hundred and sixty-seven ; 
gave to the harbour the name of Port Royal, and to the land, 
" King George the Third's Island." The adjacent island of Eimeo, 
or Moorea, situated about fourteen miles west of Tahiti, was seen 
by Captain Wallis, who called it the Duke of York's Island. 
On the evening of the twelfth we were near to Dean's Island, 
and stood off for the night under easy sail; and in the morning, 
again filled away. The night had been boisterous and rainy, and 
the wind strong. "We now looked out for land, as we moved on 
at the rate of ten knots. At eight o'clock land was reported, which 
« was supposed to be Dean's Island ; but by our observation, soon 
after taken, it appeared that we had drifted by in the night, and 
were now rapidly approaching Kruzenstern's Island, discovered 
by, and named after, that indefatigable commander of the Russian 
discovery ship. 
It is one of the most singular islands imaginable; appearing 
like a long low green patch, thickly covered with beautiful trees 
and evergreens on the side next to us. Part of the island was 
broken off into inlets, through which a heavy surf rolled in from 
the ocean, foaming and breaking into the lagoon. The latter 
might be seen from the foreyard, clear, calm, and placid, reflect- 
ing the rays of the sun as from a glassy mirror; contrasting 
strangely with the wild swell of the ocean without. Indeed, the 
whole island seemed to form a mere emerald frame to this beau- 
tiful sheet of crystal, which appeared set within its bosom. 
As we passed along, at the distance of a mile or two, the na- 
tives came upon the beach, displaying their white flags, and 
making fires along the water's edge, to attract our attention, and 
invite us on shore. Cheerfully had we accepted this hospitable 
invitation, had the roughness of the sea afforded the least pros- 
pect of landing in safety. But what must have been the feelings 
I 
