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

616 society's lands— discontent. Dec. ner. Their conduct deserves unanimous applause. To many it appears, that the respectable support and steady countenance of these upholders of the real character of Britons have, in a quiet, unpretending manner, much assisted the progress of the missionaries, and the spread of incipient civilization which must accompany the sacred truths of the gospel. If a few such men had not appeared upon that side of the world, how low might the character of Englishmen have fallen there. A few isolated missionaries would have been always opposed by numerous reprobates. By such men as those who are jealous of the influence of the missionaries, an outcry has been raised against their " at- tempts to monopolize the lands." Said those men, " Why should a missionary be allowed to purchase so much land as to prevent people who come afterwards from obtaining an eligible piece of ground near a frequented port ?" " Why should Mr. be allowed to try to prevent Waripoaka and his tj'ibe from selling me that piece of ground, because he thinks that I shall sell spirits, or build a public-house ? Have not the missionaries already monopolized the best land in the finest situations ?" In answer to this, lest the reader should think that the mis- sionaries have been covetous, and have taken undue advantage of their influence (gained, it ouglit to be remembered, at the imminent risk of life, and when no ordinary men dared to stop in the land), I will explain — that a large extent of land in New Zealand was long ago purchased by the missionaries, on behalf of the Church Missionary Society : and that many of the outcriers supposed that land to be the private property of individuals. And I will ask for attention to the too little con- sidered fact, that these unjustly blamed individuals have (by -their engagements) divided that tie which once held them to a country whose inestimable value can only be fully felt by those who have long been wanderers in other lands. New Zealand, or Otaheite, or a less known island, is now their home ; and there are around them a host of little children whose smiling healthy looks would interest even strangers in their behalf.