We Had A Very Weak Scorbutic
Patient When We Arrived At Otaheite; This Man Being Somewhat Recovered
By Means Of Fresh Vegetable Food, And Animated By The Example Of The
Crew, Wooed One Of These Girls; About Dusk He Led Her To His Birth,
And Lighted A Candle.
She looked her lover in the face, and finding he
had lost an eye, she took him by the
Hand, and conducted him upon deck
again to a girl that was one-eyed likewise, giving him to understand,
that that person was a fit partner for him, but that for her part she
did not choose to put up with a blind lover." - G.F.
[5] When here before, Captain Cook could not obtain this very singular
article; but, at this time, according to Mr G.F., not less than ten
complete mourning-dresses were purchased by different persons, who
brought them to England. Captain Cook gave one to the British Museum,
and Mr Forster another to the University of Oxford. A sailor sold a
third on his return home for twenty-five guineas, but to whom Mr G.F.
does not mention. - E.
[6] It is still more probable that both reasons concur. The higher
orders, besides, it is certain, were far enough from being disinclined
to exhibit their ingenuity in pilfering. We have seen instances of
this sort before. Mr G.F. relates one of some interest, as presented
in the king's own sister, a woman about twenty-seven years old, and
who possessed great authority over her sex. Her high rank did not
elevate her above some very vulgar propensities, of which,
covetousness, though abundantly conspicuous, was not the most
considerable. The only apology Mr G.F. makes for her, has little
specific excellence to commend it. "In a country," says he, "where the
impulses of nature are followed without restraint, it would be
extraordinary if an exception should be made, and still more so, if it
should be confined to those who are accustomed to have their will in
most other respects. The passions of mankind are similar every where;
the same instincts are active in the slave and the prince;
consequently the history of their effects must ever be the same in
every country." It is both mortifying and consolatory to think, that
the utmost height to which ambition may aspire, will not exempt one
from the polluting agency of "mire and dirt." Death, we see, is not
the only leveller in the world. - E.
SECTION XIII.
Preparations to leave the Island. Another Naval Review, and various
other Incidents; with some Account of the Island, its Naval Force, and
Number of Inhabitants.
In the morning of the 11th, a very large supply of fruit was brought us
from all parts. Some of it came from Towha, the admiral, sent as usual by
his servants, with orders to receive nothing in return. But he desired I
would go and see him at Attahourou, as he was ill and could not come to me.
As I could not well undertake this journey, I sent Oedidee along with
Towha's servants, with a present suitable to that which I had in so genteel
a manner received from him.
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