
Researches, gives some interesting accounts of the abortive attempts made by the
Tahiti Mission to establish a branch mission upon certain islands of the group.
A short time before my visit to the Marquesas, a somewhat amusing incident took
place in connection with these efforts, which I cannot avoid relating.
    An intrepid missionary, undaunted by the ill-success that had attended all
previous endeavours to conciliate the savages, and believing much in the
efficacy of female influence, introduced among them his young and beautiful
wife, the first white woman who had ever visited their shores. The islanders at
first gazed in mute admiration at so unusual a prodigy, and seemed inclined to
regard it as some new divinity. But after a short time, becoming familiar with
its charming aspect, and jealous of the folds which encircled its form, they
sought to pierce the sacred veil of calico in which it was enshrined, and in the
gratification of their curiosity so far overstepped the limits of good breeding,
as deeply to offend the lady's sense of decorum. Her sex once ascertained, their
idolatry was changed into contempt; and there was no end to the contumely
showered upon her by the savages, who were exasperated at the deception which
they conceived had been practised upon them. To the horror of her affectionate
spouse, she was stripped of her garments, and given to understand that she could
no longer carry on her deceits with impunity. The gentle dame was not
sufficiently evangelised to endure this, and, fearful of further improprieties,
she forced her husband to relinquish his undertaking, and together they returned
to Tahiti.
    Not thus shy of exhibiting her charms was the Island Queen herself, the
beauteous wife of Mowanna, the King of Nukuheva. Between two and three years
after the adventures recorded in this volume, I chanced, while aboard of a
man-of-war, to touch at these islands. The French had then held possession of
the Marquesas some time, and already prided themselves upon the beneficial
effects of their jurisdiction, as discernible in the deportment of the natives.
To be sure, in one of their efforts at reform they had slaughtered about a
hundred and fifty of them at Whitihoo - but let that pass. At the time I
mention, the French squadron was rendezvousing in the bay of Nukuheva, and
during an interview between one of their captains and our worthy Commodore, it
was suggested by the former, that we, as the flagship of the American squadron,
should receive, in state, a visit from the royal pair. The French officer
likewise represented, with evident satisfaction, that under their tuition the
king
