
    The next most striking change in the Tahitians is this. From the permanent
residence among them of influential and respectable foreigners, as well as from
the frequent visits of ships of war, recognising the nationality of the island,
its inhabitants are no longer deemed fit subjects for the atrocities practised
upon mere savages; and hence, secure from retaliation, vessels of all kinds now
enter their harbours with perfect safety.
    But let us consider what results are directly ascribable to the missionaries
alone.
    In all cases, they have striven hard to mitigate the evils resulting from
the commerce with the whites in general. Such attempts, however, have been
rather injudicious, and often ineffectual: in truth, a barrier almost
insurmountable is presented in the dispositions of the people themselves. Still,
in this respect, the morality of the islanders is, upon the whole, improved by
the presence of the missionaries.
    But the greatest achievement of the latter, and one which in itself is most
hopeful and gratifying, is that they have translated the entire Bible into the
language of the island; and I have myself known several who were able to read it
with facility. They have also established churches, and schools for both
children and adults; the latter, I regret to say, are now much neglected; which
must be ascribed, in a great measure, to the disorders growing out of the
proceedings of the French.
    It were unnecessary here to enter diffusely into matters connected with the
internal government of the Tahitian churches and schools. Nor, upon this head,
is my information copious enough to warrant me in presenting details. But we do
not need them. We are merely considering general results, as made apparent in
the moral and religious condition of the island at large.
    Upon a subject like this, however, it would be altogether too assuming for a
single individual to decide; and so, in place of my own random observations,
which may be found elsewhere, I will here present those of several known
authors, made under various circumstances, at different periods, and down to a
comparatively late date. A few very brief extracts will enable the reader to
mark for himself what progressive improvement, if any, has taken place.
    Nor must it be overlooked that, of these authorities, the two first in order
are largely quoted by the Right Reverend M. Russell, in a work composed for the
express purpose of imparting information on the subject of Christian missions in
Polynesia. And he frankly acknowledges, moreover, that they are such as cannot
fail to have great weight with the public.23
    After alluding to the manifold evils
