THE PACIFIC OCEAN. * 
163 
fing, with fome degree of melody, the traditions of their 
forefathers, their adions in war, and other indifferent fub- 
jeds; of all which they are immoderately fond, and fpend 
much of their time, in thefe amufements, and in playing 
on a fort of flute. 
Their language is far from being harfh or difagreeable, 
though the pronunciation is frequently guttural; and what¬ 
ever qualities are requifite in any other- language to make 
it mufical, certainly obtain to a confiderable degree here, 
if we may judge from the melody of fome forts of their 
fongs. It is alfo fufhciently comprehenfive, though, in 
many refpeds, deficient, if compared with our European 
languages, which owe their perfection to long improve¬ 
ment. But a fmall fpecimen is here fubjoined, from which 
fome judgment may be formed. I collected a great many 
of their words, both now and in the courfe of our former 
voyage; and being equally attentive, in my inquiries, about, 
the languages of the other iflands throughout the South 
Sea, I have the ampleft proof of their wonderful agreement, 
or rather identity. This general obfervation has, indeed, 
been already made in the accounts of the former voyages 
I fliall be enabled, however, to confirm and ftrengthen it, 
by a frefh lift of words, feleCfed from a large vocabulary 
in my poffeflion ; and by placing, in the oppofite column, 
the correfponding words as ufed at Otaheite, the curious 
reader will, at one view, be furnifhed with fufftcient mate¬ 
rials for judging by what fubordinate changes the differ¬ 
ence of dialed has been effeded. 
r * , See Hawkefworth’s Collection, Vol. iii. p. 474, 475, an d Captain Cook’s Voyage, 
Vol. ii. p. 364. 
Y 2 Englilh 
1777 * 
February. 
'-*- J 
