468 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
tioiis to follow more energetically their simple and pri¬ 
mary labours, in sending forth messengers to preach the 
gospel to the heathen. 
Such a society, however, did not exist. The promo¬ 
tion of industry and civil improvement were important 
objects, and, in order to accomplish them, especially in 
reference to the rising generation, two artisans, Messrs. 
Blossom and Armitage, were sent out with the depu¬ 
tation who visited the South Seas in 1821. The former 
was a carpenter, acquainted with the construction of 
machinery and wood-work in general | a department of 
labour highly advantageous to a rude, or but partially 
civilized people, and at this time in great estimation 
among the Tahitians. Mr. Blossom has been engaged 
in teaching native youth, and others, these arts| and 
though not altogether so successful as he desired, has 
nevertheless had the pleasure of beholding two or three 
excellent workmen trained under his care. 
The introduction among an indolent people, of any 
art that requires constant, and sometimes heavy labour, 
must be gradual; but as building, and the use of house¬ 
hold furniture, &c., increases among the people, skill 
in these departments will be held in higher esteem, 
and the number of workmen will necessarily increase 
with the demand for their labour, and the remuneration 
it receives. 
It was known, that with but slight attention the 
cotton-plant might be cultivated in the islands to 
almost any extent I and it was supposed, that although 
the smallness of the returns it had brought, when 
offered for sale in the raw state, together with the 
difficulties attending their first attempt, had deterred 
the people from persevering in its culture | yet that 
