any one who pleases to suspect their
being abroad without warrant. Hence the above appellation. This was the doctor's
explanation of the term.
 
9 The most northerly point of the island; and so called from Cook's observatory
being placed there during his first visit.
10 A corruption of the French word savoir, much in use among sailors of all
nations, and hence made familiar to many of the natives of Polynesia.
 
11 For a few years past more than one hundred and fifty sail have annually
touched at Tahiti. They are principally whalemen, whose cruising-grounds lie in
the vicinity. The harbour dues - going to the queen - are so high that they have
often been protested against. Jim, I believe, gets five silver dollars for every
ship brought in.
 
12 The Newtonian theory concerning the tides does not hold good at Tahiti;
where, throughout the year, the waters uniformly commence ebbing at noon and
midnight, and flow about sunset and daybreak. Hence the term Tooerar-Po is used
alike to express high-water and midnight.
 
13 I do not wish to be understood as applauding the flogging system practised in
men-of-war. As long, however, as navies are needed, there is no substitute for
it. War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of
the same character; and this is about all that can be said in defence of
flogging.
 
14 Concerning the singular ignorance of the natives respecting their own
country, it may be here observed that a considerable inland lake - Whaiherea by
name - is known to exist, although their accounts of it strangely vary. Some
told me it had no bottom, no outlet, and no inlet; others, that it fed all the
streams on the island. A sailor of my acquaintance said that he once visited
this marvellous lake as one of an exploring party from an English sloop-of-war.
It was found to be a great curiosity; very small, deep, and green; a choice well
of water bottled up among the mountains, and abounding with delicious fish.
 
15 Meaning the showy image of the Virgin in the little Catholic chapel.
 
16 The word arva, as here employed, means brandy. Poofai was one of the highest
chiefs on the island, and a jolly companion.
 
17 This word, evidently a corruption of missionary, is used under various
significations by the natives. Sometimes, it is applied to a communicant of the
Church. But, above, it has its original meaning.
 
18 A word generally used by foreigners to designate the natives of Polynesia