Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

526 MISSIONARIES — MISSIONS. NoV. o: or sweepingly, would doubtless irritate ; but a beneficial in- fluence, almost unnoticed except in its effects, might be ex- erted in these temporal, and seemingly trifling affairs, which might assist hereafter in a day of need. I have been told that the natives have been very ungrateful to the missionaries. Perhaps they are not all aware what a debt of gratitude they owe. Certainly, the better informed and the older inhabitants understand and appreciate the kind- ness and the labours of their devoted teachers ; but whether the younger or the lightly-disposed have, generally speaking, a kindly feeling towards them I doubt. More temporal enjoyments, and more visible or tangible benefits are asked for by the younger inhabitants, who are daily becoming more aware of the manners and habits of civilized nations. Surely the queen, a young and lively Avoman, is likely to compare her own habits and personal comforts, and the degrees of attention or deference shown to her, with those of foreigners, either resident in or visiting Otaheite. Dispensing temporal benefits, with an evident desire to better their condition in every way, excites the gratitude of igno- rant minds, and often paves the way towards teaching them to acquire abstract ideas, and to wage war against many of those things which they would rather do than leave undone. There is a Roman Catholic mission at the Gambler Islands, amply provided with presents and property fit for the natives, and it is said that they are succeeding well. At Otaheite the missio- naries were afraid that the doctrines of the Roman church would obtain a greater influence, and agree better with the disposition of the natives than the strict discipline in which they have hitherto been held. Unless preventive measures are taken in Europe, religious strife and internal warfare may again be caused in these islands, even by those whose aim is peace. Already there is a remarkable bitterness of feeling on the subject, which is unlikely to diminish if the success of the Roman Catholic mission increases. But I have wandered away from Pomare — her small ill-fur- nished room and her awkwardly-contrived house, neither Eng-