8 
MISSIONARY TGUR 
matter of which it is composed. The appearance of 
Maui resembles Tahiti more than the neighbouring 
island of Hawaii. The southern peninsula, which is 
the largest of the two, is lofty; but though its sum¬ 
mits are often seen above the clouds, they are never 
covered with snow. The high land is steep and rugged, 
and frequently marked with extinct craters, or indu¬ 
rated streams of lava; yet whenever the volcanic mat¬ 
ters have undergone any degree of decomposition, the 
sides of the mountains, as well as the ravines by which 
they are intersected, are covered with shrubs and trees. 
In the northern peninsula there are several extensive 
tracts of level and well-watered land, in a high state of 
cultivation; and although this part of the island is evi¬ 
dently of volcanic formation, the marks of recent erup¬ 
tions, so frequent in the southern peninsula, are seldom 
seen here. The population of Maui has been estimated 
at 18,000 or 20,000, and the number of inhabitants do 
not probably fall short of that number. 
In the month of May 1823, a Christian Mission was 
commenced at Lahaina, the most important and popu¬ 
lous district in the island, and the endeavours of 
Messrs. Stewart and Richards, and the native teachers 
by whom they were accompanied, have been attended 
with the most decisive and extensive success. Public 
preaching on the Sabbath is regularly attended by nu¬ 
merous audiences, and thousands of the people are 
daily receiving instruction in useful knowledge, and the 
principles of Christianity, in the various native schools, 
which are patronized by the young Prince Kauikeouli, 
younger brother and successor to the late king,—by his 
sister Rahienaena,—and by all the principal chiefs of 
Maui. The most lasting benefits may be expected to 
