98 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
sion, which is continued till the cloth is marked quite 
across, when it is moved on the board, and the same 
repeated till it is finished. 
The tapa in general lasts but a little while, compared 
with any kind of wove cloth, yet if kept free from wet, 
which causes it to rend like paper, some kinds may be 
worn a considerable time. The fabrication of it shews 
both invention and industry; and whether we consider 
its different textures, its varied and regular patterns, 
its beautiful colours, so admirably preserved by means 
of the varnish, we are at once convinced, that the peo¬ 
ple who manufacture it are neither deficient in taste, 
nor incapable of receiving the improvements of civilized 
society.* 
During the forenoon, Mr. Harwood made an auger, 
to aid the well-diggers in boring the rocks. I walked 
with Mr. Thurston to see what progress they had made, 
and to encourage them to persevere. The rocks they 
said were hard, and their progress slow, yet they were 
not discouraged, but hoped to find the work easier as 
they descended. 
After dinner, the governor entered freely into con¬ 
versation on religious subjects, particularly respecting 
the resurrection of the body, the destruction of the 
heavens and the earth at the last day, and the final 
judgment. After listening attentively to what was said 
upon these subjects, he inquired about the locality of 
heaven and hell. He was told that we did not know 
where the one or the other was situated, as none had 
ever returned from either, to tell mankind about them; 
* Specimens of the principal kinds of native cloth, manufac¬ 
tured in the Sandwich Islands, may be seen in the Missionary 
Museum, Austin Friars. 
