Year: 1872

a SOUTH SEA EDEN.


According to the account of correspond.


ent of the Washington Chronicle, who has
lived at the Navigator Islands, they might


have been the scene Of our first parents little


adventure. The writer says:


I know of no island in the world of equal


dimensions so well watered as that Of Upolu,
with its numerous rivers and waterfall. Brooks


which are supplied from failing springs


of pure, cool, crystal waters are to be met at


short distances in all directions, and together


with lake of fresh water, situated at the


summit of the highest ridge of land, surround


ed with scenery which with that of the sur


rounding landscape is unsurpassed, and may


be Justly classed among the most picturesque


and beautiful that is to be met with in any part


of the world. In fact the whole surface of


this island is beautifully diversified with val
leys, plains and irregular bills, the whole of


which is covered with shrubs of various kinds
and trees of perpetual verdure. 1t is here that
the wanderer may enjoy the pure air, and truly
paradisical scenery that surrounds him. They
may talk of the Italian skies and Scian
shrubbery; no island or coast in or around the
Mediterranean sea can rival this island in salu-
brity of climate, fertility of soil or beauty of
scenery Its air is deliciously balm, its shrub
berry luxuriant. Health and beauty here revel
together Nature is dressed in ever-changing
but never-fading charms, and her sunny smiles
are reflected from the human countenance.
From the dawn of day until some time after
sunrise the most sparkling fable of Turkey,
Persia or all the East is fully realized Every
leaf and flower and spray and blade of grass
is gemmed with dew drops of extraordinary
clearness and purity, which have imbibed SO
much Of the vegetable fragrance that when
they begin to exhale in the increasing warmth
of the solar rays. the whole atmosphere is filled
with the most delightful perfumes, and every
passing zephyr scatters grateful OdOrs from its
wings. This is the hour for healthy recrea-
ton; the by-paths are now crowded with
meadows, lawns, hills and valleys are sprinkled
with people-some in groupes others in pairs,
and many in contemplative solitude. But when
the sun has attained somewhat higher altitude
and the stragglers begin to feel the potency of
his beams, they all repair to their dwellings
with keenly sharpened appettes for the luxuri-
ant breakfast that awaits them.


The natives are the finest specimens of man.
kind that have been found in the Polynesian
world. They are polite, intelligent and hospit-
able, and are good Christians; their language
is soft and harmonious. They are renowned
for their chastity and moral behavior. They
have intelligent and pleasant countenanees,
and modest demeanor, and most noble car
riage of their person. Many of the females
ire no darker than Spanish brunette, are
very handsome, with the most symmetrical
orms. They have never been drawn up in
machine of torture that was never heard of
among all the diabolical inventions of the in
luistion-a machine of whalebone and steel.
md cord and pulleys and levers; a machine
ar more ridiculous and mischievous than the
ron shoe of China. as the body and vitals of
luman being are of more value than the feet.
But they stand out in their beautifc nudity


md loveness, the emblem of the great Mas.
ers handiwork in his happiest mood, comb-
latiOn of beauty, grace and innocence, which
10 Christian can look upon without the deep
st sentiments of love and admiration, both
oward the Creator and the created.