458 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
been as irreproachable as his mental habits were com¬ 
mendable. But, alas for him! it was quite the reverse. 
Though not distinguished by the ardour and strength 
of character so conspicuous in his father, he possessed 
both decision and enterprise : the abolition of the na¬ 
tional idolatry was a striking instance of the former; 
and his voyage to England, of the latter. 
The motives by which he was induced to undertake 
a voyage so long and hazardous were highly commend¬ 
able. They were,—a desire to see, for himself, coun¬ 
tries of which he had heard such various and interest¬ 
ing accounts—a wish to have a personal interview 
with his majesty the king of Great Britain, or the chief 
members of the British government, for the purpose 
of confirming the cession of the Sandwich Islands, and 
placing himself and his dominions under British pro¬ 
tection. 
It was also his intention to make himself acquainted 
with the tenor and forms of administering justice in the 
courts of law—the principles of commerce—and other 
subjects, important to the welfare of the islands. 
The melancholy death of the king and queen, which 
took place shortly after their arrival in England, not 
only prevented the full accomplishment of these de¬ 
sirable objects, but awakened very generally a degree 
of apprehension that the people of the islands 
quainted with the true circumstance 
would be led to suppose 
unkindly treated 
death of Can-' 
ship ' * 
