378 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
campment of the multitudes assembled stretched 
along the sea-beach, on both sides of the chapel, 
to the extent of four miles. On this occasion, 
three distinct sermons, from different texts, were 
preached at the same time, to three distinct con¬ 
gregations. Each audience, consisting of upwards 
of two thousand hearers, assembled round the 
respective pulpits within the same building. The 
king and principal chiefs appeared at the east, 
which, contrary to the order observed in their anti¬ 
podes, is considered the court end. The whole 
number of hearers, according to the nearest calcu¬ 
lation, was about seven thousand; and, notwith¬ 
standing this number assembled, a space remained 
between the different congregations. 
I have occasionally preached in the Royal Mis¬ 
sion Chapel, but never when any other person 
besides was engaged ; consequently, I cannot say 
what effect is produced on the ear by the delivery 
of more than one discourse at the same time. 
In the account the Missionaries give of its opening, 
they say, the pulpits being at so great a distance 
from each other, no confusion ensued from the 
speakers preaching at once in the same house. 
To an individual who could have stood at one 
end of the building, a little above the assembly, 
and directed his glance to the other, the three 
pulpits and preachers—the seven thousand hearers 
assembled around in all the variety, and form, 
and colour of their different costume—must have 
presented an imposing and a deeply interesting 
spectacle. 
Although divested of every thing like stateliness 
or grandeur, the first visit I paid to the chapel left 
a strong impression on my mind. I entered from 
the west; and the perspective of a vista, extend- 
