450 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
derives his highest sanction, and anticipates greatest 
success. Preparation for this service has therefore been 
regarded as demanding particular attention. 
Since our arrival at Huahine, in addition to the 
preparation of their dwellings, Messrs. Nott and Davies 
had been employed in preaching to the people, and 
preparing the Gospels of Matthew and John for the 
press. In the schools, Mr. Barff, had been much en¬ 
gaged, and Mr. Orsmond, prior to his removal to Raiatea, 
had assisted in the instruction of the people, not only 
of Fare, but also of the adjoining districts. 
The indolence of the South Sea Islanders has long 
been proverbial, and our minds were not less affected 
on beholding it, than those of other visitors had been. 
We were' convinced that it was the parent f many 
of their crimes, infant-murder not excepted, and was 
also a perpetual source of much of their misery. The 
warmth of the climate, the spontaneous abundance with 
which the earth and the sea furnished, not merely the 
necessaries of life, but what was to the inhabitants the 
means of luxurious indulgence, had, no doubt, strength¬ 
ened their natural love of ease, and nurtured those habits 
of excessive indolence in which they passed the greater 
portion of their lives. 
These habits, so perfectly congenial to their unculti¬ 
vated minds, to the fugitive manner of life, mirthful dis¬ 
position, and rude state of society that prevailed among 
the islanders, appeared one of the most formidable 
barriers to their receiving our instructions, imbibing 
the spirit and exhibiting the moral influence of reli¬ 
gion, and advancing in civilization. All classes were 
alike insensible to the gratification arising from mental 
improvement, and ignorant of all the enjoyments of 
