Polynesian., 1844-06-29

utive island, on which is a grove of trees
and a few guns, dignifed by the term of fort,
is situated about midway between those out
lets. The reef grows within a short distance
of the surface of the water. In sailing over
it in a small boat, the eye looks down upon
its bed, as upon a brilliant p%aterre. Corals,
and corallines, shells, crustacea, madripores,
echini, asteriH, and fishes of all the infinite
variety of shapes, hues, and sizes, which ma
ture SO lavishly bestows in the s%unniest re-
gions, are here to be seen. Not apparent
ly strewed in rude confusion, but planted
as it were, by the great Architect of the
earth, in those positions, which from their
symmetry and harmony in shapes and colors,
afford the highest qualification to the human
eye. Powerless would be the art that should
attempt to fashion and paint such as these.
And they lie within reach of the arm. The
most delicate specimen can be selected
from the boat; but when transferred from
their native element to the open air, their
brilliancy fades, and that which under water
was as delicately beautiful as the rays of a
cloudless sunset, becomes not unfrequently
misshapen and disgusting.
So too, to a great extent, is the town Of
Papeiti, if the collection Of huts which line
the beach, is worthy of the term. They are
greatly shaded by the trees, which in fact
form a forest even to the water. There are
a few wooden houses of somewhat better APP
pearance than the rest; such as those of the
English missionaries, the ~consuls, and the
few merchants who here do business. But
the generality of even these content them
selves with very inferior habitations, when
compared with those of Honolulu. Indeed
there is as much difference between the ap-
%pearanccs of the W places, and the relative
civilization of each, as between a town of
N~ew-England, and one of Barbary. The
huts of the islanders are built of cane; open
at the sides for a free circulation of air. and
matched only on the roofs. "A screen of tapa
or mats protects the dwellers from the wealth
er. The floors are mostly of mother earth,
uoihp LIZ Noiu VII thuI dCCOulll Ilcy pay
more attention to making rude bedsteads and
seats than the Hawaiians, but the best of
their houses which | saw, would not COM
pare, in n~eatness or comfort, with the gene
rality of those of the latter. 1t was evident,
however, that improvements were making
even here. Papeiti boasts a good hotel, with
its usual appu~rtenances of bowling alleys,
and a billiard-room. Business is rapidly in
creasing, owing mainly to its having become
a very general resort for whalers for these
few years past. The chief trade is with
Sydney. Sugar, but in small quantity, is
the chief export. But no criterion of the ca
pabilities of the soil can be formed from it's
present productiveness. Notwithstanding all
the benevolent labors which have been ex-
pended upon the Tahitians, it must be con-
fessed, that as a body, they continue corrupt
and indolent. Without sufficient energy to
develope the limitless riches of their native
soil, and too ignorant and jealous to permit
foreigners to undertake agricultural enter
prises ofany magnitude. Consequently, bus
mess here is narrowed to a petty traffic, and
circumstances, as yet, have not been suffi-
GENTLY encouraging to attract thither, many
individuals of capital, and knowledge, sutfi-
cient to test the capacities of the island.
The number of foreigners, mostly English
men, is however very considerable; too
many are outcasts from Sydney, who have
obtained a footing here, to the serious detri-
ment of the best interests of the place,