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situated in lat. 13° and 21° N., and between long. 144° and 145° 30′ E. Having a plutonic origin, their surface is extremely irregular, and in many places rises into high mountains; but the soil, wherever it is capable of cultivation, is pronounced to be uncommonly fertile. Almost every kind of tropical production grows with great luxuriance, including cotton, rice, indigo, sugar, cocoa, tobacco, and plantains. For these, as well as for cattle, mules, horses, and asses, they are indebted to the Spaniards. Guam, or St John, and Tinian, or St Joseph, are perhaps the best known to Europeans. It was at the latter that Commodore Anson, in his voyage round the world, landed for refreshment to his crew who had already suffered greatly from disease. The author of the narrative which bears the name of that able navigator represents the island as a terrestrial paradise, abounding in every thing necessary to the subsistence and happiness of man; and being besides exceedingly delightful to the eye, diversified by a happy intermixture of valleys and gentle hills, the scenery was attended with a beneficial effect on the imagination of the patients. But the same island, when afterwards visited by Byron, was found to have become an uninhabitable wilderness, overgrown with impenetrable thickets. This melancholy change was owing to the oppressive policy of the conquerors, who compelled the natives to remove to another island: after their departure the country fell back into the state of nature, and is now a savage waste.

The people are represented as being tall, robust, and very active; and previously to the arrival of the Europeans, they thought themselves the only inhabitants of the world. They are naturally acute, lively, and ingenious; and the females are described as peculiarly cheerful in their disposition, and graceful in their deportment. Their mechanical talents were most conspicuous in the invention of that singular vessel called by our seamen the flying prow, which has been admired by all, and chiefly by those whose skill in naval architecture qualified them to form the most accurate judgment. With a brisk wind

it sails at the rate of twenty miles an hour. Before the invasion of the Spaniards, they appear not to have been subjected to any regular form of government; every man assuming the privilege of vindicating his own rights, and avenging his own quarrels. Hence hostilities frequently broke out among the inhabitants of different districts; but it is said their battles were not often sanguinary, usually terminating with the slaughter of the leading combatants. The population of Guam, however, has almost entirely disappeared. In the middle of the seventeenth century they were estimated at a hundred and fifty thousand, whereas, according to the latest accounts, not more than one family of the aboriginal race remained. Kotzebue relates, that when the subjects of Philip took possession of the Marians, most of the inhabitants fled to the Caroline group. "Could I have transported myself," says he, "back to the time when Magellan discovered these islands, the Rurick would long since have been surrounded by many canoes with happy islanders. This was not the case now; the introduction of the christian religion has not diffused here its benign blessings, for since that time the whole race of the natives has been extirpated. We looked in vain for a canoe, or a man on the shore; and it almost seemed as if we were off an uninhabited island. The sight of this lovely country deeply affected me. Formerly these fertile valleys were the abode of a nation who passed their days in tranquil happiness; now, only the beautiful palm-trees remained to overshadow their graves: adeath-like silence every where prevailed."*

Voyage of Discovery into the South Sea and Behring's Straits, by Otto Von Kotzebue, vol. ii. p. 231. In this work he calls the principal island Guahon, and its capital Aguna; but in his "New Voyage," he writes it Agadna. By the Spaniards the one is spelled Guajam, and the other Agana. The Russian commander, whose descriptive powers have been more admired than his discretion, remarks, that the " scenery was very romantic, and seemed a paradise to us, after so long a voyage; and at the same time, the air, with its odoriferous perfumes, had such a beneficial influence on us, that we all felt ourselves

The same navigator again visited the Ladrones in 1824, when he found that the happiness of the people was still farther diminished by the despotism or ignorance of a bad ruler, who was even accused of having put several English and American sailors to an unjust death. The Spanish government ordered his recall, and Medenilla, whose wise measures had given rise to unwonted prosperity, was again charged with the administration of that remote settlement.

The religion of the natives, when the islands were first discovered, was a destructive superstition, consisting, so far as principle was concerned, of the belief in a malignant demon, whom they were taught by their priests to appease through the medium of sacrifices the most painful and revolting. But that worship gave way under the influence of the conquerors, who conferred upon them the knowledge of the true faith, which, when obscured by certain rites, however well calculated to occupy the attention of the rude mind, is very apt to degenerate into a modified idolatry. Images of the Virgin and

strengthened. The village of Massu consists of about fifteen houses, which are built in a straight line, and the spaces between them filled up with gardens. The structure is different from any thing we saw on our voyage. The house, which is from eight to ten feet square, rests on four pillars, raised five feet above the ground; the floors and walls are made of bamboo canes, which are placed so far apart from each other, that you can put your hand between them, which gives the whole house the appearance of a cage, where you may see every thing passing in the inside without entering. The construction is well adapted to the climate; the wind passes through the house, and cools and purifies the air; the roof, thatched with rushes, protects it against the rain, and the pillars against the vermin; but the appearance is extremely ludicrous, particularly if the family is in it. A large stone cross before the village, and a small one which they wear round the neck, showed the christian faith."-Vol. ii. p. 237.

Their canoes or proas, mentioned in the text, are convex on one side, and straight on the other. By joining two boats of the same size with a board, several islanders of the great Otdia have formed vessels which Sir Sidney Smith thought worthy of being introduced into the navies of Europe.-See Annual Register, 1805. Notice of the Experiments of Sir Sidney Smith, by Mr Boswell.

Child replaced, very generally in the Philippines and Ladrones, the hideous figures which the aboriginal savages had hewn out for themselves as representatives of those powerful spirits whose wrath they endeavoured to turn away, or whose favour they had resolved to purchase. In the days of Spanish adventure in the South Sea, clergymen accompanied every discovery ship, with the view of disseminating the kindly seeds of the christian religion; and there can be no doubt that wherever their exertions were directed to a proper field, they must have softened the temper of the natives, withdrawn them from the horrid ceremonies of their primeval superstition, and introduced among their fierce warriors the love of peace. But whatever may have been the fruits actually produced, the motives which influenced the missionaries were worthy of all praise; and, while we may regret that some attempt was not made to convey the knowledge of letters and the useful arts to their ignorant catechumens, we do not less highly appreciate the amount of the sacrifices they themselves consented to make, and the extreme sufferings which in many cases they were compelled to endure.

Guam is now the only island inhabited, and the population, according to the latest accounts, amounted to about five thousand five hundred, consisting chiefly of settlers from Mexico and the Philippines. They are all Christians, and speak the Spanish language, but acknowledge no relationship to the original tribes whom they have displaced, though not a few, it is surmised, inherit their blood through the line of the female parent.

CHAPTER IX.

Sandwich Islands.

Sandwich Islands discovered by Captain Cook-Visited by La Perouse Their geographical Position and Extent-Enterprise of the Chiefs-Seizure of an American Schooner-State in which Vancouver found the Natives-Rise of Tamehameha-He cedes to Vancouver the Sovereignty of the Islands -Trade with civilized Nations-Attempt made by Russians -Character of Tamehameha as a Reformer-Missionaries sent from America-Notice of Obookiah-The Way paved for Christianity by Rihoriho the young King-Taboo explained-Its Abolition-Supposed Motives of the Sovereign -The People admit the Change-An Attempt to revive Idolatry-Operations of the Missionaries, and Success-Religious Movement throughout the World-Chiefs devote themselves to the Study of Letters-King and Queen visit England, where they both die-Various Opinions as to the Effect of Christianity on the native Mind-Statements by Kotzebue, Lord Byron, and Captain Beechey-Funeral of the King and Queen-Laws recommended by Lord Byron-State of Society described-Great Good accomplished by MissionariesStewart's Journal-Vast Improvement in Manners and Accommodation-Palace, Guards, and Dress of the Court-Dedication of a Church-Progress of Luxury-Civilisation continues to advance-A "religious Awakening" in several Islands-Cautious Behaviour of a Missionary—Remarks on such Occurrences.

Ir is well known that these islands were discovered, on the 18th January 1778, by Captain Cook, who named them in honour of Earl Sandwich, at that time First Lord of the Admiralty. Eight years afterwards, they were visited by La Perouse, who landed at Mowee; and about

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