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Show 494 TAHITI. Nov. 1835. coast, he will most devoutly pray that the lesson of the missionary may be found to have extended thus far. In point of morality the virtue of the women, it has been often said, is most open to exception. But before they are blamed too severely,itwill be well distinctly to call to mind the scenes described by Captain Cook and Mr. Banks, in which the grandmothers and mothers of the present race played a part. Those who are most severe, should consider how much of the morality of the women in Europe is owing to the system early impressed by mothers on their daughters, and how much in each individual case to the precepts of religion. But it is useless to argue against such reasoners:-! believe that disappointed in not finding the field of licentiousness quite so open as formerly, they will not give credit to a morality which they do not wish to practice, or to a religion which they undervalue, if not despise. SuNDAY 22n.-The harbour of Papiete, which may be considered as the capital of the island, is about seven miles distant from Matavai, to which point the Beagle had returned. The queen resides there, and it is the seat of government, and the chief resort of shipping. Captain FitzRoy took a party there to hear divine service, first in the Tahitian language, and afterwards in our own. Mr. Pritchard, the leading missionary in the island, performed the service, which was a most interesting spectacle. The chapel consisted of a large airy framework of wood ; and it was filled to excess by tidy, clean people, of all ages and both sexes. I was rather disappointed in the apparent degree of attention; but I believe my expectations were raised too high. At all events the appearance was quite equal to that in a country church in England. The singing of the hymns was decidedly very pleasing ; but the language from the pulpit, although fluently delivered, did not sound well. A constant repetition of words, like " tata ta, mata mai," rendered it monotonous. Mter English service, a party returned on foot to Matavai. It was a pleasant walk, sometimes along the sea-beach and sometimes under the shade of the many beautiful trees. Nov. 1835. TAHITIAN PARLIAMENT. 495 About two years ago. , a small vessel under English co 1o urs was plundered by the mhabitants of the Low Islands, which were th~n under the dominion of the Queen of Tahiti. It was beheveu that the perpetrators were instigated to th" b . d' IS ac~ . y some m 1screet laws issued by her majesty. The Bntlsh government demanded compensation ; which was acceded to, and a sum of nearly three thousand dollars was agreed to be paid on the first of last September. The commod? re at. Lima ordered Captain FitzRoy, to inquire conce~ nmg this ~ebt~ and to demand satisfaction if it were not paid. Captam FitzRoy accordingly requested an interview with the queen : and a parliament was held to consider th question; at which all the principal chiefs of the island an~ the queen were assembled. [ will not attempt to describe what took place, after the interesting account given b Captain , FitzRoy. The money it appeared had not bee~ paid. Perhaps the alleged reasons for the failure were rather equivocating: but otherwise I cannot sufficiently express our general surprise, at the extreme good sense the r~asonin.g powers, . moderation, can dour, and prompt re~olutlon, whiCh were displayed on all sides. I believe every one of us left the meeting with a very different opinion of the Tahitia~s, from that which we entertained when entering. The chiefs and people resolved to subscribe and complete the sum which was wanting : Captain FitzRoy urged that it was hard that their private property should be sacrificed for the crimes of distant islanders. They replied, that they were grateful for his consideration, but that Pomarre was their Queen, and they were determined to help her in this her difficulty. This resolution and its prompt execution (for a book was opened early the next morning), made a perfect conclusion to this very remarkable scene of loyalty and good feeling. After the main discussion was ended, several of the chiefs took the opportunity of asking Captain FitzRoy many intelligent questions, concerning international customs and laws. These related to the treatment of ships and foreigners. On |