42 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, quadruped upon the island at the time, nor has any one except the rat 
ever been seen there. Another curious fact connected with this island 
1825 when it was first discovered it abounded in woods and forests, 
and palm branches were presented as emblems of peace ; but fifty years 
afterwards, when visited by Captain Cook, there were no traces of them 
left. The revolution that has taken place in La Dominica, one of 
the Marquesa Islands, affords another instance of this kind : when 
first visited by Mendana, in 1595, it exhibited an enchanting aspect ; 
“ vast plains displayed a smiling verdure, and divided hills, crowned 
with tufted woods, &c.:” but in 1774 it was found by Captain Cook to 
have so completely altered its features that Marchand ascribes the 
change to one of those “ great convulsions of nature, which totally 
disfigure every part of the surface of the globe, over which its ravages 
extend.” Easter Island is studded with volcanos, and an eruption 
may have driven the natives into the sea, or have so torn up the soil 
and vegetation, that they could no longer subsist upon it. 
I cannot say a word on the success that has attended the humane 
efforts of the much-lamented Perouse, who planted many useful fruit- 
trees and seeds upon the island ; but there is every reason to believe 
they have perished, or shared the fate of the vines at Otaheite, as they 
brought us no fruits or roots beyond what he found there on his 
arrival. Perhaps a tuft of trees in a sheltered spot at the back of Cook’s 
Bay, which had the appearance of orange-trees, are the offspring of his 
benevolent care and attention. Cook had no opportunity of benefiting 
the islanders in this way ; but he planted in them a warm and friendly 
feeling towards strangers, and his usual rectitude and generous treat- 
ment taught them a lesson of which Perouse felt the good effects, and 
which, possibly, might have existed until now, but for the interference 
of a few unprincipled masters of vessels, who have unfortunately found 
their way to the island ; and I fear these communications are more 
frequent than is generally supposed. 
The Island is 2000 miles from the coast of Chili, and 1500 from 
the nearest inhabited islands, Pitcairn Island excepted, which has 
been peopled by Europeans. A curious inquiry therefore suggests 
itself: in what manner has so small a place, and so distantly situated 
