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

1835. NIATIVES KEADINt; SCHOOL. 545 with one or two other grave performances, passed ofF very m ell, but, to tlie perplexing of Mr. Pritchard and surprise of the Otaheitans, a merry comic song was struck up, which obliged Mr. Pritchard to answer the queen's inquiries plainly, by saying, " No, that was not a hymn," it was " sea singing." ' God save the King ' sounded more gravely, and suited better. We landed the party almost at their own doors, and if they were half as well pleased as we were, our little preparations had not been a waste of time and trouble. Their behaviour on board was extremely correct : their habits and manners per- fectly inoffensive. No doubt they are improving yearly, and the example of the missionary families has an influence over them, exceeding that of very differently disposed people by whom they are too frequently visited. 26th. At daylight this morning some of us visited the school. As I had heard of ' compulsion ' and other absurdi- ties, I went early to get there before Mr. Pritchard arrived, without having hinted at such an intention. About the large chapel or church, groups of elderly and old people were sitting by threes and fours in a place, helping each other to read the New Testament. While one read the others listened, and, if able, corrected him. One man not less than fifty years of age, was learning to read, with spectacles. Some came in, others went out, just as they chose, for there was not any one even to watch them till Mr. Pritchard came : and during about an hour after sunrise, every day, those people;, both women and men, thus instructed one another, previous to beginning their daily out-of-door labours. In the school-house I found a number of children, waiting for their teacher, who soon arrived and save them their tasks. The greater part of them wrote sentences on slates from his dictation, with ease and correctness. One sentence he gave them was, ' the captain wishes you happiness,' which they wrote instantly, and some of their own accord added, ' and we wish happiness to the captain.' The handwriting of many, indeed most of the elder girls and boys, was very good : and to verbal questions they replied readily. They seemed to be in good discipline, and yet a merrier or more cheerful looking VOL. II. % N