SAMUEL MARSDEN. 
295 
Chevalier Captain Dillon, in his interesting narrative re¬ 
specting the fate of La Perouse, calls him the apostle of the 
South Seas, and he was a Roman Catholic. 
Indeed, Mr. Marsden’s thoughts, though chiefly resting on 
New Zealand, were not confined to it. He took the warmest 
interest in every mission, and aided each to the utmost of his 
powei’, so much so, that the London Missionary Society ap¬ 
pointed him one of its directors. He exhibited a similar feeling 
for the welfare of the Wesleyan Mission, of which he might 
also be called the founder. In fact, his was truly a Catholic 
spirit. His heart’s desire was, the establishment of his Lord’s 
kingdom on earth, by whatever hands it might be done. 
July 27, 1837.—Mr. Marsden returned to New South 
Wales ; and the following May, whilst on a ministerial visit to 
Windsor, he was suddenly taken ill in the clergyman’s house. 
His last words were “ New Zealand,” and thus terminated his 
long course of usefulness. No funeral had ever taken place 
in New South Wales which was attended like his : all were 
there, from the highest to the lowest—the members of Govern¬ 
ment—the clergy—the laity—the rich—the poor—the Pres¬ 
byterian—the Wesleyan—and even the Papist. Indeed, 
nothing could exceed the respect paid him at his death and 
in life too! I remember once riding down George-street, 
Sydney, with him ; every person moved, rich and poor. The 
Chief Justice ran into the middle of the street, just to catch 
his eye; he would have passed without noticing him, for 
he seemed quite indifferent to the respect paid him. Many, 
however, came to his gig, and would not be said nay, but 
would have a word or a nod, and these appeared to be of 
the lowest ranks. Mr. Marsden’s person was not prepos¬ 
sessing ; he was slovenly in dress, and stern in look; but 
those who knew him, found him a warm-hearted friend. His 
home was open to all; he gave no invitations, but if his friends 
did not go without one, he was angry He had always some 
New Zealanders about him; he esteemed them superior to 
every other aboriginal race. He once told me he met a Maori 
in the country, and asked him what he was doing; be said he 
had kept a store in the interior, until he was robbed by bush- 
