90 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, and evening prayers, they may be said to have church five times on a 
Sunday. 
1^25 Marriages and christenings are duly performed by Adams. A ring 
which has united every person on the island is used for the occasion, 
and given according to the prescribed form. The age at which this 
is allowed to take place, with the men, is after they have reached their 
twentieth, and with the women, their eighteenth year. 
All which remains to be said of these excellent people is, that 
they appear to live together in perfect harmony and contentment ; to 
be virtuous, religious, cheerful, and hospitable, beyond the limits of 
prudence ; to be patterns of conjugal and parental affection ; and to 
have very few vices. We remained with them many days, and their 
unreserved manners gave us the fullest opportunity of becoming ac- 
quainted with any faults they might have possessed. 
In the equipment of the Blossom a boat was built purposely for 
her by Mr. Peake of Woolwich dock-yard, upon a model highly credit- 
able to his professional ability, and finished in the most complete 
manner. As we were now about to enter a sea crowded with islands 
which rise abruptly to the surface, without any soundings to give 
warning of their vicinity, this little vessel was likely to be of the 
greatest service, not only in a minute examination of the shore, but, by 
being kept a-head of the ship during the night, to give notice of any 
danger that might lie in her route. She was accordingly hoisted 
out while we were off this island, and stowed and provisioned for six 
weeks. I gave the command of her to Mr. Elson, the master, an officer,, 
well qualified to perform the service I had in view ; having with him 
Mr. R. Beechey, midshipman, and a crew of eight seamen and marines. 
Instructions were given to Mr. Elson for his guidance, and proper ren- 
dezvous appointed in case of separation. We first experienced the utility 
of this excellent sea-boat, in bringing off water from the shore through 
seas which in ordinary cases would have proved serious obstacles ; and 
had there not been so much surf upon the rocks, that the casks could only 
be got through it by the natives swimming out with them, we should in 
a short time have completed our stock of water. This process, how- 
ever, was very harassing to them, who, besides this arduous task, had to 
