434 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
given them, exhibits, in its decided monarchical cha¬ 
racter, the hereditary descent of rank and office, and 
other distinguishing features, considerable advance¬ 
ment from a state of barbarism, and warrants the con¬ 
clusion that they have been an organized community 
for many generations. But whatever antiquity their 
system may possess, they have made but little progress 
in the art of good government. The well-being of the 
subject seems to have been but rarely regarded by the 
rulers, who appear to have considered the lower orders 
in general as a kind of property, to be employed only 
in promoting the interests of their superiors; and the 
ardent love of wealth, which an acquaintance with the 
productions of foreign countries has excited in most of 
the chiefs, has not improved the condition of the people. 
Industry receives no encouragement; and even those 
whom natural energy of character would induce to cul¬ 
tivate a larger portion of land than was absolutely 
necessary for their bare subsistence, are deterred from 
the attempt by the apprehension of thereby exposing 
themselves to the rapacity of avaricious or necessitous 
chiefs. Nothing can be more detrimental to the true 
interest of the chiefs, and the civilization and happiness 
of the people, than the abject dependence of the latter, 
the uncertain tenure of lands, the insecurity of personal 
property, the exactions of the chiefs, and the restric¬ 
tions on trade with the shipping, which they impose. 
As the nation in general becomes enlightened, it is to 
be presumed that the policy of the rulers will be more 
liberal, and the general prosperity of the islands pro- 
portionably advanced. 
On the 31st, Mr. Thurston preached twice at Towai- 
hae to attentive congregations, and with the labours 
