parting, abundance of tears were shed on both sides, Finow returned to his canoe with a heavy heart, and Mr Mariner felt all the sweet bitterness of parting from much loved friends to visit his native country. He bade a long adieu to the brave and wise Finow Fiji-to the spirited and heroic Hala Api Api-natural characters which want of opportunity render scarce, or which are not observable amid the bustle and business of civilized life. The canoe returned to the beach-the ship got under weigh, and steered her course to the Hapai Islands, leaving Vavaoo and all her flourishing plantations lessening in the distance.

CHAPTER III.

In taking leave of those with whom we have long resided, and whose ways and habits we have got accustomed to, whose virtues have gained our esteem, and whose kindnesses have won our affections ;-in leaving them and the scenes that surround them, never to return, the human heart feels a sad void, which no lapse of time, no occupations, no new friendships seem likely ever to fill up. All their good qualities rush upon the mind in new and lively colours, and all their faults appear amiable weaknesses essential to their character. When we lose a friend by death, we compare it, by way of consolation, to a long absence at a long distance; but it is equally just to reverse the comparison, and to say of a separation like this that it is as death, which at one cruel stroke deprives us of many friends!

Mr Mariner, as he looked towards Vavaoo, now fast declining in the horizon, experienced sentiments which he never before had felt to such a degree; his faithful memory presented a thousand little incidents in rapid succession, which he wondered he had never before sufficiently noticed. The late king, though lying in the fytoca of his ancestors, was now as much alive to him as his son, or

Finow Fiji, or Hala Api Api, or any other friend that he had just parted with. He recollected how often, at his request, he had laid down upon the same mat with him, in the evening, to talk about the king of England, and after a long conversation, when Finow supposed him to be asleep, he would lay his hand gently upon his forehead and say, 'Poor Papalangi! what a distance his country is off! Very likely his father and mother are now talking about him, and comforting themselves by saying, "Perhaps to-morrow a ship will arrive and bring our son back to us!" The next moment all the amiable qualifications of the present king presented themselves to his view; and as we have not yet drawn a character so well worthy to be noticed, we shall now attempt to display it in its true and native colours, trusting that it will afford a considerable share of pleasure to the generality

of readers.

Finow, the present king of Vavaoo, about twentyfive years of age, was in stature 5 feet 10 inches; well proportioned, athletic, and graceful, his countenance displaying a beautiful expression of openness and sincerity. His features, taking them altogther, were not quite so strongly marked, nor was his forehead quite so high as those of his father, nevertheless they expressed an ample store of intellect; but notwithstanding the benevolent mildness and play of good humour in his countenance, his eye shot forth a penetrating look of inquiry from beneath a prominent brow that seemed to be the seat of intelligence. The lower part of his face was well made; his teeth were very white, and his lips seemed ever ready to express something good humoured or witty. His whole phy

siognomy, compared with that of his late father possessed less dignity, but more benevolence; less chief-like superiority, but more intellect. His whole exterior was calculated to win the esteem of the wise and good, while that of his father was well adapted to command the admiration of the multitude. The character of the father was associated with the sublime and powerful; that of the son with the beautiful and engaging. His language was strong, concise, and expressive, with a voice powerful, deep, and melodious. His eloquence fell short of effect compared with that of his father, but he did not possess the art of dissimulation. The speech which he made on coming into power struck all the matabooles with astonishment; they wondered to hear so much eloquence tempered with wisdom, so much modesty combined with firmness, proceed from the lips of so young a man; and they prophesied well of him, that he would reign in the affections of his people, and have no conspiracies or civil disturbances to fear, His general deportment was engaging; his step firm, manly and graceful; he excelled in all athletic sports, racing, wrestling, boxing, and club-fighting; he was cool and courageous, but a lover of peace. He was fond of mirth and good humour-was a most graceful dancer, and passionately delighted with romantic scenery, poetry, and vocal concerts, These last had been set aside, in a great measure, during his father's warlike reign; but when the son came into power, he revived them, and had bands of professed singers at his house almost every night. He used to say that the song amused men's minds, and made them accord with each other, causing them to love their country, and to

hate conspiracies. He was of a most humane and benevolent disposition, but far, very far from being weak in this respect, for he was a lover of justice. The people readily referred to him for a decision in their private quarrels, and on these occasions he was never thought to have judged rashly. If he could not immediately decide, he adjourned the cause till the next day, and in the mean time took the trouble to inquire further particulars from those who knew more of the matter. If he was severe with any body, it was with his own servants, for he used to say that his father was too partial to them, by which means they had become assuming, taking upon themselves the character of chiefs, and oppressing others of the lower orders; but now he would make them know their proper places. If they did any thing wrong, they trembled in his presence. Nevertheless, the benevolence of his heart was wonderfully expressed in his manners. While he was yet on board the ship, Captain Fisk desired Mr Mariner to tell him that it would be bad policy for him ever to attempt taking a ship, as it would prevent others coming to trade with them, or, if they came at all, it might be to punish him and his people for their treachery. As soon as Finow understood what the captain said, he made a step forward to Mr Mariner, and taking his hand, pressed it cordially between his,* saying, with tears in his eyes, and a most benevolent and grateful expression of countenance, "Tell the chief that I shall always consider the Papalangies as my

* He had learnt the action of taking the band from the Englishmen there, and used to say it was the most friendly and most expressive way of denoting one's feeling of sincerity.