1832.] 
SOCIETY ISLANDS. 
427 
were seen on the shore, but we could see nothing that looked like 
a harbour. 
After firing a gun, several canoes came off, in one of which 
was a man who spoke tolerable English, and called himself a 
pilot. It appeared that we had passed Point Venus, forming 
Matavia Bay, and were at this time near to Pu-pu-te harbour, 
which he represented as being not only safe, but preferable to the 
ether. A boat was sent to examine it, while we feasted our eyes 
in contemplating one of the most lovely isles that dot the vast 
blue bosom of the Pacific Ocean. Every part seemed clothed 
with verdure, of apparently impenetrable thickness. Large patches 
of ploughed land could be seen in different directions, while here 
and there grazing cattle, and other indications of agricultural im- 
provements, met the eye. The whole island was far superior, in 
every point of external appearance, to that of Oahu. 
In about two hours the boat returned, bringing a favourable ac- 
count of the bay in question, especially as to its beauty ; but as 
the entrance to it is very narrow, the commodore determnied at 
once to stand for Matavia, which was wider and more easy of ac- 
cess ; and in the course of a very short time we found ourselves 
safely anchored within the harbour, in fourteen fathoms of water ; 
Point Venus bearing northeast-by-north ; the centre building on 
shore, east-northeast ; west point, southwest-half-west ; tail of 
the reef, northwest-by-north. Abreast of the frigate were two or 
three houses belonging to the missionaries ; some short distance 
6ack, a few native huts might be seen, partially buried in the co- 
coanui and orange-groves ; while all beyond was nature's own 
wild production. 
On Friday, the fourteenth, we went on shore, in company with 
the missionary, Mr. Wilson, who had come off to pay his respects 
to the commodore ; and were, on landing, invited to his house. 
We had brought with us some handkerchiefs, and such toys as 
the purser ha,d to sell ; and which we found, in buying , fruit, 
or something to eat, answered equally as well, or better than 
money. 
Almost the first thing that struck us, was the vast difference 
between the natives of this island and those of Oahu, which we 
had just left. In every thing they seemed superior ; m colour 
jnuch lighter ; in many instances their features approaching al- 
