PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
197 
various occupations, necessarily rendered our intercourse with them very CHAP, 
limited compared with that of many of our predecessors. Still, it is hoped, 
the remarks which I shall offer will be sufficient to present a candid and March, 
faithful picture of the existing state of society in the island ; a feature ' 
by no means unimportant in the history of the country, which is other- 
wise complete. To exceed this, by dwelling upon the beauties of the 
scenery, the engaging manners of the inhabitants, their mythology, 
superstitions, and legends, &c. would be only to recapitulate what has 
been detailed in the interesting voyages of Wallis, Cook, Vancouver, 
Wilson, Turnbull, and others, and very recently by Mr. Ellis, in his valuable 
wmrk entitled “ Polynesian Researches,” compiled after ten years’ re- 
sidence in the Pacific, and from the journals of other missionary gentlemen 
in those parts. In this useful work he has traced the history of some of 
the islands through all their various stages ; he has explained the origin 
of many of their barbarous customs, has elucidated many hitherto 
obscure parts, and has shown the difficulties which opposed themselves 
to the introduction of Christianity ; the hardships, dangers, and Y>riva- 
tions, which were endured by himself and his brethern, who, actuated 
by religious motives, were induced to sacrifice their own health, com- 
fort, and worldly advantages in the attempt to ameliorate the con- 
dition of their fellow creatures. But complete as that work is in many 
I’espects, it is nevertheless deficient in some essential points. The 
author, with a commendable feeling of charity, consonant with his pro- 
fession, has by his own admission in the account of the biography of 
I*omarree, glossed over the failings and dwelt upon the better qualities 
of the subject of his memoir ; and pursuing the same course throughout, 
be has impressed the reader with a more elevated idea of their moral 
eondition, and with a higher opinion of the degree of civilization to 
which they have attained, than they deserve ; or, at least, than the facts 
which came under our observation authorise. There seems to be no 
doubt that he has drawn the picture, generally, as it was presented to 
bim; but he has unconsciously fallen into an error almost inseparable 
from a person of his profession, who, when mixing with society, finds 
it under that restraint which respect for his sacred office and veneration 
for his character create. As in our intercourse with these people they 
