78 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
bed-roms were up stairs, and were perfectly clean and 
neat. These comforts they prize exceedingly; and such 
is the desire for them, that a great many cottages, 
after the same plan, are rising up every where in the 
village. 
^^The sound of industry was music to my ears. Ham¬ 
mers, saws, and adzes were heard in every direction. 
Houses in frame met the eye in all parts, in different 
stages of forwardness. Many boats, after our manner, 
were building, and lime burning for cement and white¬ 
washing. 
‘^^Upon walking through the village, we were very 
much pleased to see that a nice, dry, elevated foot-path 
or causeway ran through it, which must add to their 
comfort in wet weather, when going to prayers in their 
European dresses. As we stopped occasionally to speak 
to some of the natives standing near their huts, we had 
frequent opportunities of observing the value they set 
upon the comforts of our English style of cottage, 
and other things introduced among them of late. 
They said they were ashamed to invite us into their 
huts, but that their other house was building, and then 
they would be happ}^ to see us there. 
Afterwards I walked out to the point forming the 
division between the two bays. When I had reached it, 
I sat down to enjoy the sensations created by the lovely 
scene before me. I cannot describe it; but it possessed 
charms independent of the beautiful scenery and rich 
vegetation. The blessings of Christianity were diffused 
amongst the fine people who inhabited it; a taste for 
industrious employment had taken deep root; a praise¬ 
worthy emulation to excel in the arts which contribute 
to their welfare and comfort, had seized upon all, and. 
