PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
223 
that the people retain much of their original character and many of 
their habits, and appear to have been particularly described by Turn- 
hull; but if early historians err not, they have lost much of their 
cheerfulness, and the women a great deal of their beauty. 
Considering the advances the country had made toward the forma- 
tion of a government by the election of a parliament, and by the pro- 
Riulgation of laws, we certainly expected to find something in progress 
to meet approaching events, yet in none of our excursions did we see 
3^ny manufactures beyond those which were in use when the island 
Was first discovered, but on the contrary, it was evident that they had 
Neglected many which then existed. We were sorry to find that none 
of those in operation could be materially useful to the state ; that there 
Were no dawnings of art, nor did there appear to be any desire on the 
part of the people to improve their condition ; but so far from it, we 
Noticed a feeling of composure and indifference which will be the bane 
to their future prosperity. 
The island is imperceptibly entering into notice : it is advantage- 
ously situated for various purposes of commerce, and, consequently, in 
the event of a war between England and other powers, it might be sub- 
jected to many annoyances from the most insignificant force — from any 
armed vessel indeed which might think it her duty to annoy the island 
on the ground of its reputed alliance with England. There are no 
Works of defence to obviate such a possibility : the natives have not yet 
thought of the precaution, much less have they commenced any pre- 
paration, and the island throughout is in a perfectly defenceless con- 
dition. The weapons with which their battles were formerly fought are 
Bow in disuse, and the inhabitants have lost the skill necessary to em- 
ploy them to advantage. A number of muskets distributed amongst the 
population creates an imaginary security, but the bad condition of the 
arms, and the want of powder, would render them unavailable. At all 
Events they are deficient in an organised body of men ; a species of de- 
lonce which seems necessary for the security of every country that does 
*^ot wish her shores to be invaded, or to have her internal tranquillity 
disturbed by feuds ; which in Otaheite have frequently occurred, and 
are very likely to do so again, either from the differences of opinion in 
CHAP. 
IX. 
April, 
1826. 
