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

546 INTELLIGENCE MAUe's LETTEH. NoV. set of children I never saw. A hymn excellently, or, I ought perhaps to say, prettily sung, ended their attendance. Returning by way of the church, I saw Hitote, his brother, and other chiefs, engaged in eager discussion. Mr. Pritchard and I went in : " You are just come in time," said they, "we are disputing about the lightning conductors on board the Beagle, and cannot determine whether they end in the ship's hold, or whether they go through her bottom, into the water."" Mr. Pritchard explained : a momentary pause ensued — each seemed trying to understand the puzzling subject ; when a shrewd old man, hitherto a quiet listener, remarked — " you white men are wonderfully clever, you know and do most things, I wish some of you (passing his hand over his chin in a drolly rueful man- ner) I wish some of you would tell us how to rid our faces of these troublesome beards !" (He had just been shaved). The rapidity with which intelligence is communicated among savage, or partially civilised nations, has often been remarked but I do not remember meeting with an explanation, till Mr. Nott told me it was passed verbally — from one to ano- ther — each man calling to his neighbour. No method could be speedier, where a population is numerous ; as at Otaheite or New Zealand, when Cook was there. In the course of the morning I waited upon the queen to inform her that the Beagle was then going out of the port ; and that I waited only for her commands, and the letter she had pro- mised : upon which she sent for her secretary and the chiefs; when we left her for a time. Two of the persons who had been on board our vessel the previous evening, sent me letters this morning, which are so peculiar and interesting, in many points of view, that I here insert them. Translation of a letter from ' Mare,' one of the seven supreme judges of Otaheite; written in a round distinct hand, in his own language, and directed to me. « Tahiti, Nov. 26, 1835. " To you the officer of King William ! " May the peace of God be with you. This is what I have to say to you, my dear friend. I praise you with grateful feel- ings in my heart for your kindness to me, an insignificant man,