POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 279 
although never published^ shew that they were far from 
being unqualified for their work. 
Had the first Mission to the South Seas been com¬ 
posed entirely of individuals eminent for their scientific 
knowledge and classical attainments, they would proba¬ 
bly have been less suitable agents than those who 
actually went) as, it may be presumed, their previous 
habits of life would not have furnished the best prepara¬ 
tives for the privations and difficulties to which they 
would have been exposed. Yet it would undoubtedly 
have been highly advantageous to the Mission, had some 
such gifted individuals been included among its mem¬ 
bers. Such were not, however, at that time so ready, as 
they have subsequently been, to engage in the enter¬ 
prise, and the service necessarily devolved on those who 
were willing, under every accompanying disadvantage, 
to undertake it. They were not perhaps distinguished 
by brilliancy of genius, or loftiness of intellect | but 
in uncompromising sternness of principle, unaffected 
piety, ardour of devotedness, uncomplaining endurance 
of privations, not easily comprehended by those who 
have always remained at home, or visited only civilized 
portions of foreign climes, in undeviating perseverance 
in exertion under discouragements the most protracted 
and depressing, and in plain and honest detail of their 
endeavours and success, they have been inferior to few 
who have been honoured to labour in the Missionary 
field. I have known some of these devoted men, who, 
though not insensible to the endearments of kindred 
and home, and the comforts of civilized life, have for 
years been deprived of what most would deem the 
necessaries of life. These self-denying individuals have 
been so destitute of a change of apparel, that they could 
