they displayed the same thievish disposition which prevails among most of the inhabitants of the South Sea: and the remembrance of the conduct of the Spaniards, contributed much to increase the jealousy of the natives, and to prevent that comfort which would have been enjoyed by one of the prudence and conduct of Captain Cook, The inhabited islands which have been discovered are about eight in number. The bays around these afford harbour for shipping, although. in some places the access is not pleasant. The natives exceed in beauty those of the other islands; but both sexes are not so cleanly. They use less clothing, and their chiefs are less distinguished from the rest, than those of the adjacent islands. The soil is not so fertile as at Otaheitee, but this tends to render the natives more active and laborious. Several recorded facts concerning the natives of these islands conspire to prove, that they are naturally of a strong and vigorous intellect, and that the meliorating hand of civilization, and the benign influence of Christianity would render them a brave, active, laborious, and sober race of people: And it is hoped, that the period is not very distant, when the arts and sciences shall unite with the Gospel of our Redeemer, to render them equally flourishing and happy. To the north lies Ohevahoa, in length six, and in circumference about fifteen or sixteen leagues. Toward the eastern extremity, the surface is steep and craggy; but there are several deep valleys, and the sides of the hills are clothed with verdure and spontaneous trees. Mendana having discovered it on Sunday, he called it La Dominica. Because of the inconveniency of harbouring, however, navigators have remained greatly ignorant of its interior situation. Onateya is also mentioned by Mendana. This island includes an area of three leagues, pleasantly diversified with hills and valleys, shaded by. extensive woods, and beautified with pleasant plains. Mendana also discovered the island of Ohittatoa, which appeared populous, and in circumference about six leagues. The natives came in their canoes, and exchanged the produce of the country; but their pilfering disposition produced some contests with the Spaniards. This island has been coasted by several other navigators, but few of them have landed, or explored the interior. In this group, Captain Cook mentions another island, called Teebooa, situated in the latitude of nine degrees. The general aspect is not inviting, and its extent is inferior to any of the rest of that neighbourhood. Captain Brown is also said to have discovered another island, called Nooaheva, the most considerable of all that cluster both for extent and fertility. The country is populous and well cultivated, d the natives of a light colour. Several good bours are found upon the coasts of this island. natives have always behaved respectfully to gers, and many circumstances conspire to pro greater blessings awaiting them. here is another island called Rooahoga, conrably elevated and fertile; and besides these, ptain Wilson, is reported to have discovered ne more. Nor can it be ascertained with y positive certainty, whether or not there ay not be several adjacent islands still undisvered. GENERAL ASPECT, CLIMATE, AND PRODUCTIONS. THE objects which present themselves to view in the South Seas, are both grand and sublime. Gliding along the immense ocean, where natural appearances are widely different from those in the northern hemisphere, the stranger is agreeably surprised with the appearance of islands, or little worlds, amid the ocean. Thus stationed in his vessel, he beholds the vast watery scene beginning to be diversified by rising mountains seen at a great distance, at first scarcely visible to the eye, but gradually assuming an elevation that renders them perceptible at the distance of sixty miles. But approaching nearer, instead of beholding these mountains barren and naked, he is surprised with the view of heights almost inaccessible, lined with steep and lofty hills, and crowned with a luxuriant vegetation. Plantains, yams, and a variety of other roots, which afford support to the inhabitants, are found growing spontaneously in these elevated regions. Here also grow trees of various kinds, with which the mountains are clothed to the very summits, presenting to the distant beholder the appearance of a green lawn. The surround ing prospects from the tops of these hills fill the mind with mingled sensations of majestic dread, uncommon pleasure, and inexpressible amaze ment. 68 "We hardly believed our eyes," says M. de Bougainville, when we saw a peak covered with woods up to its highest summit, which rises above the level of the mountains in the interior parts of Otaheitee. Its apparent size seemed to be more inaccessible, iner d crowned with zime- the initabi- e surroun says M. & covered ich rises ab interior par med to be emselves to view ad of beholding |