A Narrative of a Nine Months' Residence in New Zealand in 1827

ed men, trotting along under immense loads, and screaming their barbarous songs of recognition; sometimes we beheld an uncouthly carved figure, daubed over with red ochre, and fixed in the

from the rays of the setting sun, while herds of fat cattle were winding down the hills, lowing as they leisurely bent their steps t

to what order of beings they belonged; but on their near approach, I found them to be the New Zealand youths, who were settled with the missionaries. They were habited in the most uncouth dresses imaginable. These pious men, certainly, have no taste for the picturesque; they had obscured the finest human forms under a seama

nd unsociability. After presenting my letter to a grave-looking personage, it had to undergo a private inspection in an adjoining room, and the result was an invitation "to stay and take a cup of tea!" All that an abundant farm and excellent grocer in England could supply were soon before us. Each person of the mission, as he appeared during our repast, was called aside, and I coul

hat theirs was an excellent and thriving trade. We had a cold invitation to stay all night; but this the number of our part

angerous. The river being filled with rocks, some under, and others just above the water, we were obliged to keep a good look-out. After experien