A General History & Collection of Voyages and Travels ... - Nauticus

end; and all I could expect, after destroying some part of their property, would have been the empty honourof obliging them to make the first overture towards an accommodation. But who knows if this would havebeen the event? Three things made them our fast friends. Their own good-nature and benevolentdisposition; gentle treatment on our part; and the dread of our fire-arms. By our ceasing to observe thesecond; the first would have worn out of course; and the too frequent use of the latter would have excited aspirit of revenge, and perhaps have taught them that fire-arms were not such terrible things as they hadimagined. They were very sensible of the superiority of their numbers; and no one knows what an enragedmultitude might do.[6] It is still more probable that both reasons concur. The higher orders, besides, it is certain, werefar enough from being disinclined to exhibit their ingenuity in pilfering. We have seen instances ofthis sort before. Mr G.F. relates one of some interest, as presented in the king's own sister, a womanabout twenty-seven years old, and who possessed great authority over her sex. Her high rank did notelevate her above some very vulgar propensities, of which, covetousness, though abundantlyconspicuous, was not the most considerable. The only apology Mr G.F. makes for her, has littlespecific excellence to commend it. "In a country," says he, "where the impulses of nature arefollowed without restraint, it would be extraordinary if an exception should be made, and still moreso, if it should be confined to those who are accustomed to have their will in most other respects.The passions of mankind are similar every where; the same instincts are active in the slave and theprince; consequently the history of their effects must ever be the same in every country." It is bothmortifying and consolatory to think, that the utmost height to which ambition may aspire, will notexempt one from the polluting agency of "mire and dirt." Death, we see, is not the only leveller inthe world.--E.SECTION XIII.Preparations to leave the Island. Another Naval Review, and various other Incidents; with some Accountof the Island, its Naval Force, and Number of Inhabitants.In the morning of the 11th, a very large supply of fruit was brought us from all parts. Some of it came fromTowha, the admiral, sent as usual by his servants, with orders to receive nothing in return. But he desired Iwould go and see him at Attahourou, as he was ill and could not come to me. As I could not well undertakethis journey, I sent Oedidee along with Towha's servants, with a present suitable to that which I had in sogenteel a manner received from him. As the most essential repairs of the ship were nearly finished, Iresolved to leave Otaheite in a few days; and accordingly ordered every thing to be got off from the shore,that the natives might see we were about to depart.On the 12th, old Oberea, the woman who, when the Dolphin was here in 1767, was thought to be queen ofthe island, and whom I had not seen since 1769, paid us a visit, and brought a present of hogs and fruit.Soon after came Otoo, with a great retinue, and a large quantity of provisions. I was pretty liberal in myreturns, thinking it might be the last time I should see these good people, who had so liberally relieved ourwants; and in the evening entertained them with fire-works.On the 13th, wind easterly, fair weather. Nevertheless we were not ready to sail, as Otoo had made mepromise to see him again; and I had a present to make him, which I reserved to the last. Oedidee was notyet come back from Attahourou; various reports arose concerning him: Some said he had returned toMatavai; others, that he would not return; and some would have it, that he was at Oparree. In order to knowmore of the truth, a party of us in the evening went down to Oparee; where we found him, and likewise