first they were quite gravelled but ultimately, by sheer hard

thinking, reasoned out the result, and came one after another to

assure the trader he was right. Not many people in Europe could

have done the like. The course at Hatiheu is therefore less

dispiriting to Polynesians than a stranger might have guessed; and

yet how bald it is at best! I asked the brother if he did not tell

them stories, and he stared at me; if he did not teach them

history, and he said, 'O yes, they had a little Scripture history--

from the New Testament'; and repeated his lamentations over the

lack of results. I had not the heart to put more questions; I

could but say it must be very discouraging, and resist the impulse

to add that it seemed also very natural. He looked up--'My days

are far spent,' he said; 'heaven awaits me.' May that heaven

forgive me, but I was angry with the old man and his simple

consolation. For think of his opportunity! The youth, from six to

fifteen, are taken from their homes by Government, centralised at

Hatiheu, where they are supported by a weekly tax of food; and,

with the exception of one month in every year, surrendered wholly

to the direction of the priests. Since the escapade already

mentioned the holiday occurs at a different period for the girls

and for the boys; so that a Marquesan brother and sister meet

again, after their education is complete, a pair of strangers. It

is a harsh law, and highly unpopular; but what a power it places in

the hands of the instructors, and how languidly and dully is that

power employed by the mission! Too much concern to make the

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