Where then could I spend
my time better? If I did nothing more, I was at least in hopes of being
able to point out to posterity, that these seas may be navigated, and that
it is practicable to go on discoveries; even in the very depth of winter.
During our stay in the sound, I had observed that this second visit made to
this country, had not mended the morals of the natives of either sex. I had
always looked upon the females of New Zealand to be more chaste than the
generality of Indian women. Whatever favours a few of them might have
granted to the people in the Endeavour, it was generally done in a private
manner, and the men did not seem to interest themselves much in it. But
now, I was told, they were the chief promoters of a shameful traffic, and
that for a spike-nail, or any other thing they value, they would oblige the
women to prostitute themselves, whether they would or no; and even without
any regard to that privacy which decency required.[3]
During our stay here, Mr Wales lost no opportunity to observe equal
altitudes of the sun, for obtaining the rates of the watches. The result of
his labours proved, that Mr Kendal's was gaining 9", 5 per day, and Mr
Arnold's losing 94", 15s per day, on mean time.[4]
[1] Mr G.F. represents these people as very like those which had been
seen at Dusky Bay, only much more familiar. At dinner, it is said,
they would not drink either wine or brandy, but took large quantities
of water sweetened with sugar, of which they were very fond. They
shewed extreme covetousness, but were readily induced to lay down what
they had seized on. They seemed to have acquaintance with the value of
iron, and highly prized any thing made of it. - E.
[2] "When they were told that he was dead, they seemed much concerned,
and pronounced some words in a plaintive voice. So much had this man's
superior knowledge, and his ability to converse in their language,
rendered him valuable and beloved, even among a nation in a state of
barbarism. Perhaps with the capacity which Providence had allotted to
him, and which had been cultivated no farther than the simplicity of
his education would permit, he was more adapted to raise the New
Zealanders to a state of civilization similar to that of his own
islands than ourselves, to whom the want of the intermediate links,
which connect their narrow views to our extended sphere of knowledge,
must prove an obstacle in such an undertaking." - G.F.
This is a liberal observation in respect of Tupia, but it is liable to
much objection as a general maxim.
