60 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
and determined, in dependence on Divine protec¬ 
tion and support, to maintain their station; dili¬ 
gently to labour, and patiently to wait for the reward 
of their toil. They beheld, with deepest distress, 
their gardens destroyed, their trees cut down, the 
fences they had reared with so much care de¬ 
molished, tlie country around a desolate wilderness, 
and the inhabitants reduced to a state of destitu¬ 
tion and wretchedness ; yet they could not contem¬ 
plate the remarkable interposition of Providence, 
in affording them the means of perfect security 
amidst the surrounding destruction, without min¬ 
gled emotions of admiration and gratitude. 
The cessation of hostilities afforded the Mission¬ 
aries a respite from anxious watching, and allowed 
them to pursue their former avocations. Their 
gardens were again enclosed, and such seeds as they 
had preserved were committed to the ground. The 
study of the language, which, under the guidance 
and assistance of Mr. Nott, had been regularly 
pursued one or two evenings every week, was re¬ 
sumed. In the instruction of the children, the 
greatest difficulties had been experienced from 
their restless and unrestrained dispositions and 
habits; for, having been unaccustomed to any 
steady application, or to the least control, they 
seldom attended to their lessons long enough to 
derive any advantage from the efforts of their 
teachers; yet, as opportunity offered, the Mission¬ 
aries continued to catechize them, and to preach 
to the adults. The natives, however, persevered in 
their depredations on the little remaining property 
of the mission; and, in order to deter others, 
one of them, who had been detected, was publicly 
dogged by the king’s order. 
Towards the close of the year 1802, Mr. Jeffer- 
