Chapter VIII: Part 8

Our author says, that the inhabitants of Otaheite are a witty and humorous people, which he attributes to their living in ease and jollity.--That ease may make a man happy, we will readily allow; but that it can create humour, or inspire wit, we must beg leave to deny:--perhaps the dullest fellows this day to be found on the habitable globe, are among those who are easy and independant in point of fortune, and perhaps, too, some of the most humorous and witty may be found among those who know not where to obtain a second shilling when the present is expended. This, at least, is the case in London: it may, possibly, fare differently with the Parisians, almost all of whom being poor and merry, may fancy themselves wits and humourists. In a word, wit and humour are not the gifts of fortune, but of Nature.

Mons. Bougainville charges the people of Otaheite with a fickleness of disposition, which was deemed astonishing. Every new object struck their attention, but nothing engaged it for more than a few minutes. To reflect was, to them, a work of labour, and they seemed to prefer bodily to mental exercises.--This, with our ingenious author’s permission, is a proof of their good sense: every man, who can think at all, must know, that the labour of the mind exceeds that of the limbs, in proportion as the soul is superior to the body! For this reason we pay not an artist as we pay a porter; the one will earn an hundred pounds, while the other is drudging for as many shillings: but the porter can drudge on for life, while the artist, if he acquire not sufficient to retire with decency at an early period, will pine away a wretched old age in unmerited penury!

The natives of Otaheite are ingenious, beyond description, in the construction of their fishing-tackle, the hooks of which are of mother of pearl, and wrought as nicely as if with European tools. With threads drawn from the American aloe they form their nets, which are made like those of France, and other nations of Europe. Their houses, too, are exceedingly well built, and the palm-leaves, with which they are thatched, are laid on with great skill and taste.

The boats (or periaguas) of these people are of two kinds. The former very large, hollowed out of huge trees, and finished with much taste, parts of other trees being added as ornaments:--the latter small, and of much ruder construction.--But these kinds of boats having been repeatedly described in this and other books of voyages, it is unnecessary to say more of them.

In order to convey themselves from one island to another, they fix beams of wood from the starboard side of one vessel to the larboard of the other, leaving an intermediate space of something more than a yard; and over the stern of both the boats they erect a kind of hut, lightly built, and covered with reeds, which serves as a repository for their provisions, and a shelter against the inclemency of the weather.

Two boats thus lashed together never overset; and are therefore much in use among the people of superior rank: the sails of these vessels are nearly square, and consist of mats, stretched out by means of pieces of cane.

The only tools in use among the natives of Otaheite are pieces of shells made sharp, for boring holes in wood, and a chissel, in the European make, the blade of which is formed of a hard black stone.

The natives manufacture that remarkable kind of cloth which forms their dress: a shrub is cultivated near all the Indian huts, from the rind of which this cloth is made, by beating it on a smooth board, and occasionally sprinkling it with water, till it is as thin as paper, and something like it, only much more pliable. Thus they make cloth of different thickness, which they afterwards dye; but their process in the dying it Mons. Bougainville had no opportunity of seeing.

Our author now employs two or three pages in defence of his conduct in bringing Aotourou from his native island, in answer to some illiberal reflections which had been cast on him; and then he proceeds to describe some particulars of the Indian’s behaviour during his residence. This account should certainly have appeared as a supplement to the Volume; but we take it as it stands.

Mons. Bougainville says he endeavoured, at a great trouble and expence, to render Aotourou’s residence at Paris both improving and entertaining to him. The curiosity of the public to view this stranger was insatiable; and the foolish Parisians were astonished to learn, that there was any country on the face of the earth, where neither French, English, nor Spanish was spoken. Mons. Bougainville happily ridicules this strange kind of ignorance; but he does not seem to wonder, that it should prevail among those who had never been without the walls of the city which gave them birth.

Our author is likewise very severe on a set of critics, who seemed to wonder that Aotourou could live among Frenchmen almost two years, and yet learn only a very few words of their language. To account for this, Mons. Bougainville mentions a physical obstruction in the organs of his speech; his age, which rather exceeded thirty years; the deficiency of a memory never exercised by study; and the possessing only a very limited number of ideas, relative to the trifling wants of the natives of his happy island. Hence our author concludes, that he must first of all have created “a world of previous ideas, in a mind as indolent as his body”, before he could adapt them to the French words proper to express them.

Though Aotourou was thus deficient in the language of France, yet the streets of Paris were quite familiar to him. He went out daily without attendants, and found his way readily through the whole city. He frequently bought things, and was seldom defrauded in the purchase. None of the public diversions had any charms for him but the opera, to which he went regularly: for he knew the nights on which it was to be performed, and paid the same for admittance as other people: his great fondness for dancing was what rendered the opera so agreeable to him.

He was exceedingly grateful to those who conferred any obligations on him, nor did he ever forget their persons or their favours. The Dutchess of Choiseul stood foremost in the list of his friends, and he expressed more gratitude for the polite attention with which she treated him, than even for the numerous presents which he received at her hands: and as often as he heard of that lady’s being arrived from her country-seat, he would immediately go and visit her.

After a residence of eleven months at Paris, Aotourou was put on board the Brisson, at Rochelle, which ship was destined to convey him to the isle of France, whither orders were sent to the Governor and intendant, to transport him thence to his own country. Mons. Bougainville gave about 1500 l. sterling, towards the fitting out the Brisson for this voyage; and the Dutchess of Choiseul ordered a considerable sum to be expended in cattle, seeds, implements of husbandry, &c. which were shipped for the use of the natives of Otaheite. Mons. Bougainville concludes this part of his narrative with the following very humane and equally political wish. “O may Aotourou soon see his countrymen again!”

Our author now proceeds to inform us of several particulars, with which his conversation with this adventrous islander had made him acquainted. If Mons. Bougainville be not misled in his information, the state of facts will appear to be, that the inhabitants of Otaheite pay their devotions to the Deity, at the rising and setting of the sun; that their supreme God is incapable of representation; but that they have two classes of inferior deities, who are represented by figures carved in wood. Exclusive of these regular devotions, the natives of Otaheite practice a number of superstitious ceremonies, in order to avert the influence of the evil genii.

While Aotourou was at Paris, in 1769, a comet appeared, which furnished Mons. Bougainville with an opportunity of knowing that these kind of stars had been frequently observed at Otaheite; but that the natives do not suppose that they are portentous of any evil consequence; on the contrary, what we call shooting stars, are, by these people, deemed evil genii.--How far it was possible for Aotourou to explain himself to Mons. Bougainville, on astronomical subjects, is left to the reader’s reflection.

The more enlightened people of Otaheite have names for the sun, moon, and stars; by which, without the assistance of the needle or compass, they steer their course night and day, sailing, at some times, not less than eight hundred miles from island to island. In the daytime they are guided by the sun, and by the stars in the night.

Mons. Bougainville learnt from Aotourou the names of several islands, in the seas near Otaheite, the natives of some of which were in friendship, and those of others at war, with his countrymen. Of the former are Tapouamassou, Oumaitia, Aca, Maoroua, and Aimeo; of the latter, Oopoa, Toumaraa, Otaa, Aiatea, and Papara; all which are represented as about equal in extent with Otaheite.

There is an island, called Pare, the inhabitants of which are alternately at war and in friendship with the natives of Otaheite. In these seas are likewise two small islands, called Toupai, and Enoua-Motou, which are not inhabited, but yield abundance of fruit, fowls, and hogs, while their coasts abound with turtle, and other fish; but the people of Otaheite conceiving these islands to be the residence of evil genii, deem it a certain sign of misfortune, if either curiosity or chance should lead any boat to their coasts; and it is supposed, that those who endeavour to land there will perish in the attempt.

The most distant of all the islands above-mentioned is not more than about fifteen days sail from Otaheite, even with the boats of that island; and Mons. Bougainville conjectures, that Aotourou had no idea of going farther when he embarked on board the Boudeuse.--If this conjecture be well founded, there certainly was not so much magnanimity in this Indian’s behaviour as we have been hitherto taught to believe:--but there are great inconsistencies in the writings of our voyager, which the reader will pardon, in favour of his vanity. It is our duty to correct and amend as we proceed.

Mons. Bougainville at first imagined, that the inhabitants of Otaheite were nearly equal in point of rank, and that their happiness was to be envied, from their supposed equality: but he now, from the information of Aotourou, corrects that error, and confesses that, “the distinction of ranks is very great,” and “the disproportion very tyrannical.”--The Chiefs, and other men in power, dispose of the lives of their dependants at their pleasure; and our author thinks, that they have the power of exerting this cruel prerogative over the common people, who are not immediately dependant on them. The vulgar are distinguished by the appellation of _Tata-einow_, that is, vile men; and it is mentioned, as an indubitable fact, that those doomed for sacrifices are selected from the Plebeian race. The Grandees only eat fish and flesh, while the common people subsist entirely on pulse and fruits. Indeed the distinction of rank appears to be very great; for persons of eminence are lighted from place to place in the night, with a wood of superior quality to that which the vulgar are allowed to burn. The tree called the weeping willow is planted only before the houses of the Chiefs or Kings, and their public dinners are held beneath its shade.

The servants of the great men are distinguished by a kind of sash, worn round the body, which is placed across the loins, or higher up, till it comes close under the arm-pits, in proportion to the rank of the master.

The natives of Otaheite make two regular meals daily, one just after noon, and the other as soon as the sun is gone down. The servants cook the victuals, which are served up by the wives, who eat after their husbands have done.

When the men die, the women go into mourning for them; but this compliment is not returned on the part of the men. The children wear mourning a long time after the death of the father, and on the decease of a king, the whole nation is in sables. The mourning consists of a head-dress of black feathers, and a veil drawn over the face.

Aotourou informed Mons. Bougainville, that this veil was very favourable to the wishes of those women whose husbands were not so complaisant as his countrymen in general are. This arises from the following circumstance. When the mourners go out, a number of slaves walk before them, beating the castanets to a solemn melancholy tune, which is considered as a notice for all persons to keep at a distance from the afflicted: thus, the veil over the face, and the sound of an instrument from which every one flies, cannot but be auspicious to the wishes of the enraptured lovers.

When any person is dangerously ill, all his relations repair to his house, and remain there till he is either dead or out of danger, each, in his turn, attending the sick man. Their method of bleeding is very singular. An inferior priest, called _Taoua_, is the physician, who strikes the cranium with a piece of sharp wood, which opens the sagittal vein; and when he deems the patient to have bled sufficiently, he ties on a bandage, which closes the orifice; the day following he washes the wound, and no ill consequence ensues.

Mons. Bougainville says, that the preceding account contains every thing he could learn respecting the customs of Otaheite, either on the island, or from the information of Aotourou. Our author remarks, that some words spoken by the natives of Otaheite, are to be found in a vocabulary at the end of La Maire’s voyage, under the title of the “Vocabulary of Cocos island”, which being mentioned as lying nearly in the same latitude with Otaheite, is conjectured to be one of those islands, the names of which were recited by Aotourou.

The language of the people of Otaheite is described by Mons. Bougainville as extremely harmonious, and easy of pronunciation, consisting chiefly of vowels, and having no aspirates. He says also that it has no nasal, mute, or half syllables; nor “that quantity of consonants and articulations, which render some languages so difficult.” Hence, he concludes, arose the difficulty of teaching Aotourou the French tongue; but he thinks it would have been a work of much less labour to have taught him the Italian or Spanish.

How far our author is right in his conjectures, it would be no easy task to determine; for the direct contrary of what he says of the language of these islanders has been observed by the English navigators. As we have already given some vocabularies, we shall, at the conclusion of this narrative, give that of Mons. Bougainville, that the reader may determine whether the English or the French voyagers have the best pretensions to credibility.

Mons. Bougainville informs us, that a gentleman of Paris, distinguished by his skill in teaching the art of speech to persons born deaf and dumb, repeatedly examined Aotourou, and found that he could not naturally pronounce any of the French nasal vowels, and but very few of the consonants.

Our author is of opinion, that the language of Otaheite is sufficiently copious, and he grounds this opinion on the following circumstances. Whenever, during the voyage, Aotourou was struck with any new object, he immediately expressed his sentiments in a kind of extempore blank verse; and he also repeated daily a long prayer, which he called “the prayer of the Kings,” not a dozen words of which Mons. Bougainville understood, or heard him repeat on any other occasion.

Aotourou informed the Commodore, that an English ship had arrived at Otaheite about eight months before the French touched at that island. This (says our author) was the vessel commanded by Captain Wallace; and he ascribes the knowledge of iron, which was observed among the natives, to this visit of the English, especially as they call it _Aouri_, which is not very unlike our word _iron_. Our Frenchman likewise gives a very ungenteel hint, that the poor Indians were indebted to the English for the venereal disease; but the contrary of this is known to be the fact.

Mons. Bougainville now proceeds to give an account of his departure from Otaheite, and his discovery of other islands in the southern pacific ocean. On the morning of the 16th of April, 1768, he discovered what he thought to be three other islands; but it was afterwards found to be only one, the high lands of which had, at a distance, given it the appearance of separate islands. At a considerable distance beyond this island, they saw another, which Aotourou told them was called _Oumaitia_; that the natives of it were in alliance with the people of Otaheite; that there was a girl on the island to whom he had a strong attachment; and that if the Commodore would touch there, he would meet with the same kind of necessaries, and the same hospitable treatment, as he had experienced among his countrymen.

Our circumnavigator, however, deaf to all these persuasive arguments, held on his way, and lost sight of the island the same day. The succeeding night proving remarkably fair, and the stars appearing with unclouded lustre, Aotourou pointed out a constellation in the shoulder of Orion, and expressed a wish, that the ship’s course might be directed by it, in consequence of which they would, in two days time, arrive at a fine island where he had a numerous acquaintance; and it was conjectured, from his hints, that he had also a child there. As Mons. Bougainville persisted in his resolution not to alter the ship’s course, Aotourou became very uneasy, and endeavoured to persuade him to steer for the desired port, by assuring him, that the island abounded in hogs, fowls, fruits, and, what he seemed to think would be the most prevailing argument, fine women, who were abundantly liberal of their favours.

Mortified in a high degree that his reasons did not operate with the Commodore, he ran to the steerage, and seizing the wheel of the helm, tried to steer for his favourite isle, nor was it without great difficulty on the part of the helm’s-man, and equal vexation on that of the poor Indian, that he was prevented from carrying his design into execution.

Early on the following morning he climbed to the mast-head, where he remained several hours, anxiously looking out for the spot which had so much attracted his regard.

On the preceding night he pointed out a great number of stars, and informed Mons. Bougainville of their names in the language of Otaheite; and it was afterwards certainly known, that this islander was not unacquainted with the phases of the moon, and that he was learned in those prognosticks, which evince an approaching change of the weather. It likewise appeared, that his countrymen were not uninformed in this kind of knowledge, so useful to people whose wants or curiosity frequently carry them to sea, where they have no compass to direct their course, except their own judgment, and the sight of the cœlestial constellations.

Mons. Bougainville confesses, that the natives of Otaheite are fully convinced that the sun and moon are peopled; and he asks, “What Fontenelle taught them the plurality of worlds?”--We will answer him.--The omnipotent Creator of all worlds, who fills all space; whose power gave birth, and whose presence gives life to nature, and who has poured his bounties, with unsparing hand, on every part of his creation.

Our historian having acknowledged, that these islanders are possessed of such great and superior talents, has certainly no right to call, or to deem, them _savages_. Is a man a savage because he happens to be born in a different part of the world from us; because he is unacquainted with the languages of Europe, and untaught in customs, which he could never, from the locality of his situation, have an opportunity of learning? The historians, and particularly the navigators of this quarter of the globe, are very censurably fond of distinguishing, by the title of savages, all those who are happy enough to be born in milder climates, and to live and die, uninstructed in those arts of refinement, and unskilled in that baseness of insincerity, which are at once the characteristick, the boast, and the disgrace of the Christian world.

The weather continued fine till the end of April, at which time the principal pilot on board the Boudeuse died of an apoplectic fit. In the beginning of the month of May, three islands were discovered at the distance of ten or twelve leagues to the north-west; but these were unknown to Aotourou, who imagined that it was Mons. Bougainville’s country. The moon shone bright in the night, during which they kept sight of the islands, and in the morning steered for the largest, the eastern shore of which they coasted, and found it about nine miles in length.

The coasts of this island are remarkably steep, and, in fact, the whole of it is little else than an enormous hill, cloathed with trees. Several fires were seen on shore, a small number of houses covered with reeds, under the shade of cocoa-nut trees, and more than twenty of the natives running hastily along the coast.

The two smaller islands were each about a mile and a half in length, and separated from the larger one by an arm of the sea; in shape and appearance they are very much like the former.

The Commodore had given directions to steer between the islands, when a boat, with five Indians in her, was observed coming off towards the ship. She advanced very near, but, though every sign of friendly invitation was made, not one of the natives would venture on board. They had no kind of cloathing but a bandage round the waist; and as they could not be prevailed on to come up the ship’s side, Aotourou stripped himself, leaving on nothing more than what they wore, and addressed them in the language of Otaheite; but they understood not a word of what he said.

As they held up some cocoa-nuts, and other vegetables, and seemed to wish to barter them for some trinkets which were shewn them, Mons. Bougainville ordered out one of the ship’s boats, with a view to visit the strangers; but they no sooner learnt his intention, than they rowed off with all possible expedition, and he did not think proper to follow them.

In a little time many other boats advanced towards the ships, some of them rowed, and others sailing. These, less diffident than the former, came close under the ship’s side, but none of the islanders would venture on board. They exchanged pieces of an exquisitely fine shell, yams, cocoa-nuts, and a water hen of most beautiful plumage, for small pieces of red stuff; but they did not seem fond of earrings, knives, nails, nor iron of any kind; which had been so eagerly coveted by the inhabitants of Otaheite. One of these Indians brought a cock with him, but he would not part with it on any terms. They had also some pieces of cloth, of the same kind as that manufactured at Otaheite, but not of so fine a fabrick, and died black, brown and red, but none of the colours were good of their kinds. They were likewise possessed of a kind of wood hardened by fire, lances, mats, and fish-hooks made of bones.

Mons. Bougainville conjectures, from the features of these islanders, that they are not of so amiable a disposition as the natives of Otaheite; and he represents them as such dextrous thieves, that it was almost impossible to guard against their depredations.

These people are of the middle size, and exceedingly alert; they are of a deep brown complexion, but one was seen among them who was much fairer than any of the others; they had no beards, so that it was supposed they were plucked out by the roots, and their hair, which was universally black, stood almost erect on their heads; their thighs and breasts were painted with a deep blue.

Their boats are built in a most ingenious taste, and furnished with out-riggers. The head and stern of the vessel are equally flat with its sides, and over each is a small deck, in the center of which is a row of wooden pegs, the tops of which are enclosed in a shell of the purest white: the sail is formed of matting, and its shape triangular, being extended by means of sticks.

In these boats the islanders followed the French vessels to a considerable distance out to sea, while several others, from the smaller islands, joined the naval procession, and produced an effect that was highly agreeable. In one of these last mentioned boats was an old woman, remarkably distinguished by the singular ugliness of her features.

As the weather now fell calm, the Commodore gave up, from an apprehension of danger, his project of sailing between the islands, though the breadth of the channel was more than four miles. They now sailed, therefore, in the open sea, and on the evening of the same day, the man at the mast-head had sight of other land, even while they were yet in view, by the aid of a bright moon, of the islands they had lately left.

On the morning of the 5th it appeared, that the newly discovered land was a most beautiful island, consisting of alternate mountains and vallies, clothed with the richest verdure, and finely shadowed by the spreading branches of the cocoa-nut, and a variety of other trees. Near the westermost point of this island is a ledge of rocks, and the sea breaks with violence on many parts of the coast, so that it would be difficult to land, except in very few places.

Many boats put off from the island, and sailed round the ships, though they were then going at the rate of at least seven knots an hour. These boats, however, one only excepted, would not venture near the ships; but _that one_ went along-side, and her crew made signs for the French to land, which they would have done, but the breakers rendered it impossible. At this time the man at the mast-head observed a number of the Indian boats sailing to the southward.

On the following day another island was seen to the westward of the ship’s course, in the neighbourhood of which were two smaller islands; but none of these could be distinctly beheld, on account of some thick fogs, which intercepted the view.

The last mentioned islands are situated nearly where Tasman, the Dutch navigator, has placed a number of islands which he discovered, and to which he gave the names of Heemskirk, Prince William, Pylstaart, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The longitude of these islands corresponds likewise, very nearly, with those which navigators have called Solomon’s Isles; so that it is most probable they are the same.

Mons. Bougainville conjectures, that the number of boats which were observed sailing to the southward, is a vindication that there are other islands at no great distance; and, indeed, this opinion seems to be well-grounded. To all these lands the Commodore gave the general name of the _Archipelago of the Navigators_.

The writer of this work must be indulged for giving a hint, which springs from the noblest of motives, the love of his country. It is surely well worthy the consideration of the British ministry, whether it might not be proper to send a fleet to discover and settle some of these islands.--Who knows what future benefit might, from such a circumstance, accrue to the first maritime and commercial state in the universe?--The American colonies form the brightest gem in the British crown. The colonies in the southern pacific ocean might, not improbably, constitute a diadem of still superior lustre!

On the morning of the 11th another island was discovered, which received the name of the _Forlorn Hope_; but for what reason it is impossible to guess. At a distance it had the appearance of two islands, but this deception was occasioned by its shape, for it consisted of two hills, joined by a low land, which could not be seen far out at sea.

At this period, and for some days before and afterwards, the weather was extremely unfavourable, the winds being adverse, and the rains and calms alternate. Mons. Bougainville (on this circumstance) observes, that in the ocean which has obtained the name of PACIFIC, the approach to land is generally announced by violent tempests, which become still more violent, in proportion as the moon decreases. The vicinity of islands is generally foreboded by thick clouds at the horizon, and squally weather; and the precautions necessary to be taken to prevent a vessel’s running fowl of shoals, may be more easily conceived than described. In the present instance it was impossible to proceed with the necessary degree of caution; for the crew were in want of provisions, and water, in particular, grew very scarce; so that they were obliged to take advantage of every breeze of wind, both by night and day, and run all hazards, for fear of starving.

Thus situated, it may be presumed, that they thought themselves sufficiently unhappy; but their distresses were aggravated by the greater number of the crew of each ship being attacked by the scurvy, which inflamed their mouths to such a degree, that they could scarcely have swallowed those refreshments of which they stood much in need. Salt beef, pork, and dried pulse, constituted the whole fare of those who remained in health; for the sick, however, there were yet some few articles of fresh provisions remaining.

At this unfortunate juncture the disease, consequent on an illicit commerce between the sexes, made its appearance, attended by all its most disagreeable symptoms. Aotourou was so extremely ill of it, that though seeming to despise its progress and its effects, he was obliged to submit himself to the care of the Surgeons. Mons. Bougainville’s words, on this occasion, are very remarkable. “In his (Aotourou’s) country, this disease is but little minded. Columbus brought it from America; here it is in an isle in the midst of the greatest ocean. Have the English brought it thither? Or ought the physician to win, who laid a wager, that if four healthy stout men were shut up with one healthy woman, the venereal complaint would be the consequence of their commerce?”

Ungenerous Frenchman! Why this unjustifiable attack on the English? At the time Mons. Bougainville wrote the narrative of his voyage, he knew that some of his crew were infected with the malady in question, when they landed at Otaheite; for, in a former part of his volume he has said, that he did all in his power to prevent their communicating it to the poor islanders. What becomes, too, of his wonder, how a disorder should find its way to a little island in the pacific ocean, when he knew that his own ship had carried it thither!--Whether Columbus brought this pestilence from America or not, is, perhaps a question not easily determined; nor, at this period, is it at all material: but one fact is well known; that the French have plentifully distributed the contagion through Europe, and it is not improbable, that they have likewise carried it to every other quarter of the globe.

This subject is rather of the indelicate kind; but we are necessarily led into it; and may be indulged in one remark, that seems to arise naturally from the preceding circumstances, and will, we trust, militate on the side of virtue.--Providence, we conceive, wisely intended one man for the associate of one woman, who should be the companion of his life, the friend of his bosom, the partaker of his joys, the sharer of his griefs, whose love for him should excite all his tenderness, and repay, with interest, those toils and cares it gave rise to. Thus paired, thus mutually giving and receiving happiness, the married state is indeed a heaven on earth. Wedded love, the chaste, the holy, the conjugal tie, will ensure as much happiness as is to be found in this sublunary world; and trust, O reader, in the goodness of God for the future. To sum up this remark, marriages are made in heaven; choose, ye ladies, with prudence choose, the heart paired with your own; select ye, generous youths, the amiable fair, whose eyes beam the gentle influence of love, and whose heart feels the solid force of virtue; then be true to each other, and bid defiance to contagion: so shall your days be happy, and your children bless the parents to whom they owe the first of human blessings, health of body, and of mind.

The ships now steered a westerly course, and early on the morning of the 22d two islands were discovered, one of which received the name of Aurora, from the early hour on which it was first seen, and the other that of Whitsuntide Isle, from the day which gave birth to its being so named.

The track of the vessels was now so directed, as that they might have passed between the two islands, but an unexpected calm prevented this manœuvre. Proceeding to the northward of the first discovered island, a rising land, in a conical form, was observed to bear north by west, which received the name of the Peak of the Etoile.

In the afternoon, mountainous lands, at thirty miles distance, were seen, appearing, as it were, over and beyond the island of Aurora.

On the twenty-third it was discovered, that the land last seen was a separate island; the appearance of which was lofty, its descent steep, and the whole cloathed with trees. A number of boats were seen coasting the shore, but none of them approached the ships; smoke was seen issuing from among the woods, but no habitation was observed.

In the morning the Commodore dispatched three boats, well manned and armed, to take in wood, and to learn the necessary particulars respecting the country, while the ships guns were brought to bear on the island, in order to protect the boats crews from any insult that might be offered them by the natives.

Mons. Bougainville himself went on shore in the afternoon, where he found the good natured Indians assisting the French in carrying to the boats a quantity of wood which had been cut.

The information obtained from the officer commanding the boat’s crew was, that on his first landing, the natives assembled on the shore, armed with bows and arrows, intimating, by signs, that the strangers must retreat. The French officer, however, gave directions for landing, and while his people advanced, the islanders retreated, but with their bows bent, and in an attitude of self-defence. At length, the crew were ordered to halt, while the Prince of Nassau approached the Indians, who no longer retreated when they saw only one person advancing. The Prince having given them some remnants of red cloth, their esteem appeared to be at once conciliated.

The commanding officer now stationed himself at the entrance of a wood, and sent out a party in search of refreshments, while another was deputed to cut fire-wood. The natives now came forward, with an appearance of friendship, and distributed some fruit among the seamen, to whom they likewise gave some arrows, but refused to accept any thing in exchange. Their numbers were considerable, and those who were not armed with bows and arrows had provided themselves with stones, as instruments of defence.

These people intimated, that they were at war with the natives of a different district on the island, and even while they were hinting this circumstance, an armed party of Indians approached from the westward, while the former appeared determined not to retreat from their enemies; but the valour of the latter was rendered unnecessary to be exerted by the want of present courage in the former.

Matters were in this situation when Mons. Bougainville landed on the island, where he remained till his boats were laden with the articles he wanted.

This being done, he took possession of the island, by the act of burying at the foot of a tree an inscription, carved on an oak-plank; and then he retreated to the ship.

It was imagined, that this early retreat of the French prevented an attack, which the islanders had meditated, as they seemed to be making preparations for what they had not yet in their power to carry into execution; but no sooner had the boats put off, than the islanders hastened to the beach, and complimented them with a shower of arrows, and a volley of stones; some of them even plunged into the waves, aiming their fury at the supposed invaders, and hurling their vengeance on the insolent strangers. When, at length, one of the seamen had been wounded by a stone, a discharge of muskets drove the poor islanders to their native woods, evidently wounded, from their cries and exclamations.

Mons. Bougainville gives the following description of the natives of this island, which he called the _Isle of Lepers_, from observing, that many of the inhabitants were afflicted with the leprosy. Some of them are mulatto’s, and others perfect negroes; their hair is woolly, and generally black, but in some instances of a very light brown, approaching to a yellow. Few women were seen among them, but those few were equally disagreeable with the men, who are represented as low in stature, ill-favoured, and disproportionably made.

We will not deny the veracity of our historian; the works of Nature and of Providence are astonishing. The God of creation is equally wise and wonderful in all his works; but we must own, that it appears to be a phenomenon, the existence of which surpasses the credulity of an English reader, that black men should have (to use Mons. Bougainville’s own words) hair “of a yellowish colour.” Of all historians, the circumnavigators are fond of dealing in the marvellous. Our Commodore, presuming that he had visited an island unapproached by any other European Commander, has told us just what he pleased of the natives of that island, and it is not in our power to contradict him. It would have given weight to the testimony of our flippant French historian, if he had brought to Paris one of these curious _Lusus Naturæ_, these yellow-pated negroes.

The ladies of this singular country carry their children in a bag of cloth, slung at their backs. On these cloths there are elegant drawings in a fine dye of crimson. The noses of the men are pierced and hung with ornaments; and it is presumed, that they pluck their beards, as none of them were observed to have any. They wear a bracelet on the arm, which had the appearance of ivory, and pieces of tortoishells round their necks.

Clubs, stones, bows and arrows form the armour of these people; the arrows are made of reeds pointed with bone. On the points of these bones are inverted darts, which prevent the arrow being drawn without tearing the flesh of the wounded person. The boats of these islanders bore a strong resemblance to those of the Indians of the isle of Navigators; but these vessels did not approach the ships so near, as to furnish the French with an opportunity of giving a particular description of their construction.

Near the beach on which Mons. Bougainville landed, is a lofty hill, extremely steep, yet cloathed with a super-abundance of verdure. The vegetable productions of the Isle of Lepers, are far inferior to those of Otaheite, owing, as is supposed, to the lightness of the soil, and its want of depth.

Figs, of a species not before known, were found in this country; and several paths were seen cut through the woods, and inclosed by pallisadoes about a yard in height. It was conjectured, that these enclosures marked the boundaries of the landed property of different persons. Half a dozen hovels only were seen, into which no person could enter but on his hands and knees; yet the inhabitants were very numerous, and it is supposed they must be very miserable, from the perpetual wars among the natives of different districts on the island.

Mons. Bougainville says, that the sound of a drum, harsh and dissonant to the ear, was frequently heard in the wood near the top of the above-mentioned hill; and this he imagines to have been a signal for the Indians to rally their forces; for no sooner had the discharge of the fire-arms dispersed the multitude, than this drum was immediately heard; and when the islanders in enmity with the others appeared, the drum was beat with suspended violence.

Aotourou formed a very contemptible opinion of the inhabitants of the Isle of Lepers, whose persons appeared indescribably odious in his eyes; and of whose language he had not the slightest idea.

On the 23d more land was discovered, which, on the 25th, was observed to enclose almost all the horizon, so that the ships were surrounded in one extensive gulph, while the coast of the newly-discovered country contained many other gulphs, or large inlets, across which several boats were observed rowing, from one shore to the other.

The night of the 25th was spent in tacking, and in the morning it was observed, that the currents had carried the ships several miles more to the south than their reckoning. The number of isles now seen was so great, that they could not be counted, nor could the end of these extensive countries be discerned.

Steering north-west by west, the land had a very beautiful aspect, being diversified with fine trees, between spots of land that had the appearance of being cultivated. Some parts of the mountains being barren, and spotted in different places with a red earth, Mons. Bougainville conjectures from that circumstance, that they contained some mineral substances.

A great inlet to the westward having been seen on the preceding day, the ships now arrived in it, and saw a number of negro Indians on the south coast of it, while others approached the vessels in their boats, but when they came to about the distance of a musket shot, they would advance no nearer, nor could any sign of invitation from the French induce them to alter their resolution.

The land on the north shore is of a moderate height, and cloathed with trees. On this shore many negroes were seen, and several boats put off towards the ships; but these, like the former, refused to come to board.

At the distance of about eight miles from this spot, two islands were seen, which formed the entrance of a fine bay, which the boats were sent to examine, and after they had been gone a few hours, the sound of muskets were heard, which made the Commodore very uneasy. On their return in the evening it appeared, that one of them, in disobedience to the orders of the Commander, had left her consort, and going near in shore, the Indians discharged two arrows at the crew, which was returned by the musquetry, and some larger guns. A projecting point of land prevented the boat being seen from the ships; but the incessant firing induced the Commodore to imagine, that she was engaged with a very large number of the enemies boats, two of which she had certainly encountered.

Preparations were making for dispatching the long-boat to her assistance, when she was descried, coming round the above-mentioned point of land.

The lamentable cries of the poor Indians were now heard in the woods, to which they had fled, from the rage of their enemies, and their drums were incessantly beating.--We must now transcribe one passage from Mons. Bougainville, because it is the _most humane_, and consequently _the noblest_, in his whole narrative: “I immediately made signal to the boat to come on board, and I took my measures to prevent our being dishonoured for the future, by such an abuse of the superiority of our power.”

The country last mentioned consisted of a number of small islands, off which there is tolerable good anchorage, but at such a distance from the coast, that a ship could not cover any boats which should land, which, as the islands are cloathed with thick woods, would be the more necessary.

These Indians went naked, and, except a bandage round the waist, wore the same kind of ornaments as those on the island of Lepers, whom they resembled in all respects, except not being quite so black; and the productions of the island were likewise the same.--The Commodore very properly declined any attempt to trade with these people, whom he could not suppose would barter their effects with those, from whom they had received such essential injuries.

On the morning of the 27th they again sailed, and, in a few hours, had sight of a fine plantation of trees, between which there were regular walks, resembling those of an European garden. Many of the natives were seen near this spot, and as an inlet was observed at no small distance, the Commodore ordered the boats to be hoisted out but they found that it was impracticable to land.

The ships now quitted the great cluster of islands they had lately visited, which received the general name of _Archipelago of the great Cyclades_, which, it is conjectured, occupies no less than three degrees of latitude, and five of longitude. Mons. Bougainville says, that these islands are not the same that Quiros called _Tierra Austral del Espiritu Santo_; but that Roggewein saw the northern extremity of them, which he denominated _Groningen_, and _Thienhoven_.

Our author now recites a very singular fact. On board the store-ship was a person reported to be a woman, which was almost confirmed by her want of beard, her voice, and her shape. The Commodore going on board the Etoile, enquired into the fact; when the party confessed her sex, while floods of tears streamed down her face.

Her story is extraordinary.--Born in Burgundy, and left an Orphan, she was ruined by the fatal issue of a law-suit: on which she resolved to drop the habit of her sex, and served a gentleman at Paris; but hearing of Mons. Bougainville’s intended expedition round the world, she repaired to Rochefort, where, just before the ships embarked, she entered into the service of Mons. de Commerçon, who went out with a view of encreasing his botanical knowledge. She followed her master, with astonishing courage and resolution, through deep snows, to the hoary tops of the mountains in the streight of Magellan, carrying loads of herbs, plants, arms and provisions, with unspeakable courage, and unwearied toil.

While our adventurers were at Otaheite, the men of that island flocked round our heroine, and exclaiming, “this is a woman!” would certainly have treated her as such, but that an officer rescued her from their hands, and ordered her to be delivered, unviolated on board the ship.

Mons. Bougainville observes, that this is the first woman that ever circumnavigated the globe, and remarks on the singularity of her situation, if the ships should have been wrecked on some desert isle in the great ocean. The name of this extraordinary woman is Baré; and she is as celebrated for her chastity as her courage.

On the night between the fourth and fifth of June some breakers were seen at half a league’s distance, by the light of the moon. In the morning it appeared to be a low flat sandy isle, abounding in birds, which received the name of the _Shoal of Diana_.

About this period several species of fruit, and some pieces of wood, floated by the ship; and a kind of flying fish was seen, larger than the common sort, the body of which was black, and the wings red.

A sand bank was discovered on the 6th, on which the sea broke violently, and the tops of rocks were seen at intermediate spaces. “This last discovery (says our author) was the voice of God, and we were obedient to it.”--They therefore spent the night in making short tacks in that part of the sea with which they were previously acquainted.

At this time the salt provisions on board were become so putrid, that it was almost impossible for men, even on the point of starving, to swallow them; and therefore the rats were industriously sought after, and eaten in preference to it. The remaining peas would serve only forty days, and the bread two months; so that it became highly necessary to think of steering to the northward.

On the 10th, before day-break, an agreeable fragrancy impregnated the air, announcing that land was near; and it was accordingly discovered before sun-rising. This is described as a most delicious country, divided, near the sea coast, into groves and plains, behind which the land rises, in the form of amphitheatre, till the tops of the mountains are lost in the clouds. The most lofty of three chain of mountains was seen above seventy miles in-land. The whole country appeared to be rich and fertile, but the deplorable situation to which the ship’s companies were reduced, would not admit of their staying to take a more accurate survey of it.

On the 10th a prodigious swell from the south-east drove the ships violently towards land, and they were soon within about two miles of it; and the night was passed in this dangerous situation, taking advantage of every slight breeze to clear the shore. A number of boats were now seen coasting the island, on many parts of which fires were observed. A turtle was found here in the belly of a shark.

For several successive days there was so thick a fog, that the Boudeuse was obliged to fire frequent guns to keep company with the Etoile, on board of which were a part of their provisions.

Several shell fish, called cornets, leaped into the ship in the night, and as it is known of these fish, that they are accustomed to keep at the bottom of the sea, it is evident, that the ships must have been in very shallow water.

On the 16th the weather became fine, and on the following day several islands were discovered, one of which was called Ushant, from its similitude to the island of that name.

By this time our voyagers were reduced to very great extremities. The allowance of bread and pease was considerably reduced; and a fear of the consequences that might arise, obliged the Commodore to forbid the eating of leather. There was yet on board a she-goat, which had been brought from Falkland’s Islands; she yielded milk daily, but this was insufficient to save her life: the starving crew demanded the victim, and the butcher, who had hitherto been her feeder, wept as he plunged the murderous knife in the breast of his favourite. Soon after this a dog, which had been put on board at the streights of Magellan, fell a sacrifice to the dire demands of hunger.

On the 18th not less than nine or ten islands were discovered, and on the 20th a still farther number. Our navigators now struggled at once with a variety of inconveniences, occasioned by foul ships, damaged rigging, crazy masts, and tempestuous weather.

On the 25th high land was discovered, which appeared to terminate in a cape, which they doubled with a degree of transport that may be more easily conceived than described, as it was the point they had wished for a sight of, from a certainty that it would enable them to quit for ever the archipelago of islands, amidst which they had been so long in hourly danger of shipwreck or starving. This cape was called _Cape Deliverance_, and the name of the _Gulph of the Louisiade_, was given to a bay, of which the Cape forms the eastermost point.

North of Cape Deliverance about sixty leagues land was discovered, which proved to be two small islands; and, two days afterwards, an officer was sent to examine several creeks, in the hope of finding anchorage, while the ships sailed slowly after the boats, ready to join them on the first signal.

The natives now advanced towards the ship in several boats, carrying from two or three, to upwards of twenty men each.

These boats had no outriggers, and their crews were as black as the negroes on the coast of Guinea. Some of them had reddish hair, and that of all of them was long and curled. They wore white ornaments on their foreheads and necks, and were armed with lances and bows; they kept an almost continual shouting, and seemed rather inclined for war than peace.