The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-03-11

both in this and foreign lands, who will be
sorry to hear of the death of the eminent
man of science, the earnest teacher, the faith
full minister. Thousands who knew hin
only by his writings will regard hisdeath a:
the loss of friend ; and to those who knew
him personally, the news, though not totally
unexpected, will still come with crushing
severity. He will be greatly missed in the
wo.ld Of science, In the smaller college world
where all looked up to him as father, and
not the least Of all will he be missed by the
returning sons of Amherst, who will long
in vain for sight of the kindly face, and a
cordial grasp of the fatherly hand, that is now
cold.-Springjield Republican.
A Court Martial in New Zealand.
| Our boat having disappeared in the night
we betook ourselves in the morning tc
the skiff of friend and searched along
the coast for our missing property. At
ter rowing for some distance, We were
about to desist for the night, when We caugh,
sight of the "waif" lying on the beach in
such a position that it might either have
stranded by the waves..or been placed there by
human agency. The latter appeared the
more probable, for, as we landed, a perfect
chorus Of yells saluted our ears, and looking
round, We were tisagreeably surprised to see
troop of at least fifty Maories appear fir m
behind the rocks and bear down upon Us.
Their leader was fine stalwart man, stand
ing above six feet high, and magnifcen,ly
proportioned, as most of the New Zealand
natives are. Turning to his band, be mo-
toned them to stop, and then with a naughty
step he advanced to me, saying, in the Mao
rie language, White man, the Maori ranga-
tira Chief claims that boat"
Understanding the language, and having
some slight acquaintance witn the Moari
customs, vas able TO answer him, and said
The white man made it. 1t is his"
should explain here that oratory is held
in high estimation among the Maories, and
that nothing pleases a rangatira more than
to have an opportunity of displaying his
eloquence. In the most approved style the
chief resumed the discussion as follows:
"You see the rangatira. He is great
He has many servants. The sun comes from
the waters 70 give him light. The trees
grow to give him fruit. When he would ca,
the fishes come quick 10 his hook. When
he would fight his enemies come TO be killed.
The great waters are afraid of him. They
wish to make peace. They bring him boat
He is pleased. He keeps it,
Now, no doubt this speech making was
sery convincing to his followers, but didn't
view the subject in the same light, so re-
pii.d: e. Tine white man takes it, anu, pu:-
ting my shoulder 10 the boat. | commenced,
with the help Of my men, to launch it. The
launching did not proceed very far, as in an
other moment I was quietly lying on my
back. having been tossed clean over tie heat
by the orators sinewy arm. This was sor,
, of thing had never been accustomed TO.
and therefore, disregarding the dictates OF
prudence. jumped up, "squared" at the
chief and succeeded in planting one straight
! from the shoulder, which floored" him.
The result was, of course, our Seizure by
the infuriated natives; but as they had, even
at that time, learned to respect our govern
meat, they refrained from doing US any bodi-
! ly harm, bu, led US to the English commits
sioner, who Was living on the outskirts of the
province, for the purpose of settling all dis
putes with the natives. He was simply sup
ported by moral force-no great supper,
! there-and so the Maori views of law were
often in the ascendant. A rude court wa,
formed in front Of his hut An armchair
which had been brought from Auckland, and
which the Maories regarded with great awe
was placed for the commissioner. At q short
distance in front of the armchair stood my
accuser and myself, while on every side ap-
peared threatening array of natives, WIG
had gathered together in great numbers when
they heard of the occurrence. The proceed
ings commenced by the commissioner calling
upon the injured chieftain to state lis com
plant. Expecting to hear some claim made
to the boat, was quite taken aback when he
spoke thus:
"The Maories cry for vengeance. The
rangatari is holy. In war, in peace, the man
that strikes the raHsatira dies. The grea,
fathers of the Maories have said so. DO
speak well ?"
This question met with grave and digni
fed assent from the old men of the tribe who
: stood in front of the circle. Thus encourag
ed, he proceeded:
81 stood by the great waters. l looked
up. The binds flew fast away. They fearet
. to share the air which the rangatira brea,hed
!. l looked down. The waves drew back. Tn,
shore was the rangatira's. He trod there
looked on the land. The trees. the mel
bent down. looked on the great waters
They were troubled at my look. They has
= tened, they brought an Offering to the ranga
tira. Itwas boat. They laid il at my feet
3 took it. The white man comes to take il
} He lifts his hand. He strikes the rangatirs
The birds, the air, the waves, the shore, th