268 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
pollution. So strongly did we feel this in the 
Sandwich Islands, that the only play-ground to 
which our children were allowed access, was en- 
closed with a high fence; and the room they 
occupied was one, strictly interdicted to the na- 
tives, who were in the habit of coming to our 
dwelling. 
We always sought to inspire the natives with 
confidence, and admit them to our houses, but 
when any of the chiefs came, they were attended 
by a large train of followers, whose conversation with 
our own servants we could not restrain, but which 
we should have trembled at the thought that our 
childrenheard. The disadvantages under which they 
must have laboured, are too apparent to need enu- 
meration. Idolatry had indeed been renounced 
by the natives, but, during the earlier part of the 
time we spent there, nothing better had been 
substituted in its place, and the great mass of the 
people were living without any moral or religious 
restraint. 
Our companions, the American Missionaries, felt 
deeply and tenderly, on account of the circumstances 
of their rising families, and made very full repre- 
sentations to their patrons; they have also sent 
some of their children to their friends in their native 
country. The children of the Missionaries in the 
South Sea Islands were not in a situation exactly 
similar to those in the northern islands. The moral 
and religious change that has taken place since 
the subversion of idolatry, had very materially 
improved the condition of the people, and elevated 
the tone of moral feeling among them; still it 
must be remembered, that though many are under 
the controlling influence of Christian principle and 
moral purity, these are not the majority, and there 
