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sight. On Thursday the 13th of July, 1769, the ship sailed from this agreeable spot, having staid there just three months.

The visits which Europeans have lately made to the islands in the South Sea, would certainly have been productive of the most considerable advantages to the natives, by furnishing them with useful implements, and new species of vegetables and animals, if these services had not been greatly counterbalanced by the mischief introduced. Strong liquors indeed, produced by distillation, of which, by their intercourse with Europeans, the Indians on the American continent are become so immoderately fond, that those baneful draughts are daily destroying their race, and debasing their character, have found no admirers among the tropical islanders; of whom many of higher rank were found to be devoted to an intoxicating liquor before they had seen the face of an European: but an evil equally fatal to health and enjoyment has been spread amongst them. On leaving this island, more than one half of the Endeavour's crew were found to be infected with the venereal disease, which they had contracted during their stay here. It was supposed that the crews of M. de Bougainville's ships had imparted it. The natives distinguished it by a name of the same import with rottenness, but of a more extensive signification. They described, in the most pathetic terms, the sufferings which the first victims to its rage endured, and told Mr. Cook that it caused the hair and the nails to fall off, and the flesh to rot from the bones; that it spread an universal terror and consternation among the inhabitants, so that the sick were abandoned by their nearest relations, lest the calamity should spread by contagion,

and were left to perish alone, in such misery as till then had never been known among them; but there seems to be some reason to hope that they had found out a specific cure for it, as none were seen on whom it had made a great progress; and one who went from the ship infected, returned, after a short time, in perfect health.

CHAP. II.

Description of the Society Islands; manners of the inhabitants; arrival at New Zealand; transactions with the natives; their manners and customs; departure from New Zealand.

DIRECTED by Tupia, Mr. Cook proceeded westward to a cluster of islands, about one or two days sail from Otaheite. On the 15th the weather was hazy, with light breezes and calms succeeding each other, so that no land could be seen, and but little way could be made. During this time Tupia often prayed for a wind, to his god Tane, and as often boasted of his success, which indeed he took a very effectual method to secure, for he never began his address to Tane till he saw a breeze so near that he knew it must reach the ship before his orison was well over. On the 16th of July they came in view of an island named Huaheine. The natives appeared very shy of approaching the ship, but they no sooner saw Tupia on the deck, than they advanced with less diffidence. The king of the island and his wife soon after went on board the ship: at first they were struck with astonishment, and wondered at every thing that was shown them, yet they made no inquiries, and seemed to be satisfied with what was offered to their notice, without searching after

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

ather objects of curiosity, with which it was natural to suppose a building of such novelty and magnitude as the ship must abound. The name of this king was Oree; and he proposed, as a proof of his friendship for his new acquaintance, that lieutenant Cook and he should exchange names, which being readily assented to, the Indian was Cookee, for so he pronounced the commander's name, and the other was Oree, for the remainder of the time they were together. In succeeding voyages this has been found to be the greatest instance of good-will and attachment which the kings of these islands can give to a stranger. Hogs were procured here in exchange for hatchets.

The moment Tupia landed on this island, he stripped himself as low as his waist, and desired the surgeon, who accompanied him, to do the same. He then sat down before a numerous assembly of the natives, who were collected together in a large house or shed; for here, as well as at Otaheite, a house consists only of a roof supported upon poles; the rest of the party, by his desire, stood behind. He then began a speech or prayer, which continued about a quarter of an hour; the king, who stood over against him, frequently answering in what appeared to be set responses. In the course of Tupia's harangue, he delivered, at different times, two handkerchiefs, a black silk neckcloth, some beads, two small bunches of feathers, and some plantains, as presents to their Eatua, or god. In return for these, he received from the king a hog, some young plantains, and two small bunches of feathers, for the Eatua of the strangers.-The general sense of religion, which prevails among these islanders, so cut off as they are from all intercourse with the.

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