212 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
three clumps of hibiscus and cocoa-nut trees, 
added greatly to the beauty of its appearance. 
There was no swamp or marshy land between the 
shore and the mountains; the ground was high, 
and the whole district not only remarkably beauti¬ 
ful, but apparently dry and healthy. The abun¬ 
dance of natural productions, the apparent salubrity 
of the air, the convenience of the stream of water, 
the facility of the harbour, combined to recommend 
it as an eligible spot for at least the temporary 
residence of a part of the Missionaries. We there¬ 
fore waited on the principal chiefs, one of whom 
had accompanied us from Papetoai, and inquired 
if it would be agreeable to them for us to come 
and reside there. They expressed themselves 
pleased with the prospect of such an event, and 
promised every assistance in the erection of our 
houses, &c. Having accomplished the object of 
our visit, we left Afareaitu, and returned to Pape¬ 
toai the same evening. 
The circumstances of the inhabitants of the 
windward and leeward islands, most of whom had 
renounced idolatry, and their earnest desire to 
receive religious instruction, rendered it exceed¬ 
ingly desirable that the Missionaries should no 
longer remain altogether at Papetoai, but establish 
themselves in the different islands ; but the vessel 
which they had commenced building in 1813, 
being still unfinished, and the anticipation of a 
considerable accession to their numbers, induced 
them to defer forming any new station, until such 
reinforcement should arrive. 
The natives in the several islands were in want, 
not only of teachers, but also of books. I had 
taken out a printing-press and types, and having, 
at the request of the Directors, learned the art of 
