8 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
them more fully explained, or to inquire what 
connexion they bore to parts with which they 
might be better acquainted. Their use, however, 
was superseded by the printing of the Gospel 
of St. Matthew, an edition of upwards of two 
thousand copies of which was finished in less 
than eighteen months after our arrival in Hua- 
hine. 
The people were anxious to receive them, and 
multitudes thronged the place where they were 
preparing, for some time before they were ready. 
The district of Fare presented a scene strongly re- 
sembling that which Afareaitu had exhibited when 
the first portion of the sacred volume was printed 
there; and many said they could not sleep, from 
the apprehension of not obtaining a copy. As it 
was not easy to distribute them to the greatest 
advantage, we determined to give a copy to none 
but such as could read; but so importunate were 
many, that we could not abide by our resolution. 
Sometimes those who were scholars induced their 
chiefs to apply for a number of copies, guaran- 
teeing their payment, and their suitable appropria- 
tion. From this representation, many were given 
to the different chiefs; but we found it desirable 
afterwards, in order to insure the most advan- 
tageous distribution, to give only to those who we 
ourselves were satisfied could read. 
Several blind persons applied at the different 
stations, earnestly soliciting books, stating, that 
though they could not read, they could hear and 
remember as well as those who could see. To 
have denied to those suffering natural darkness 
the means of obtaining spiritual light, when we 
had every reason to believe they were sincere in 
their expression of desire for it, would have been 
