tions, not long since. The unhapp a boy fourteen years of age, was de the presence of friends who were e ing, though in vain, to rescue him dreadful jaws of the fish.

But the pastime which these pe most delight in, is sporting in the s times when the sea is thrown into th commotion by wind or storms, an upon the beach in monstrous bill spot selected for this amusement is one where the shore is lined with la against which the waves beat with est violence. The natives, someti number of two or three hundred, of sex and rank, assemble at this taking each a strip of plank, from fourteen feet in length, and one or breadth, which is made thinner at than in the middle, they advance into the surf. If they encounter a they dive under it, and, as it rolls they rise to the surface and swim, ing another, and another still, wh the same way avoided, they at lengt smooth sea, beyond the breaking o This exploit is attended with som and danger; for if the person att does not succeed in diving under he is caught by it and forced back rocks with great violence, at the ris much bruised, or perhaps killed.

Having reached the calm seas, beyond the reef, which is sometimes a quarter of a mile from the shore, they place themselves on their narrow boards, having their faces downwards, and their heads raised considerably above that extremity of the plank which is nearest the land. Then taking advantage of one of the highest waves, they are driven towards the beach with astonishing impetuosity and rapidity. They are anxious to gain the harbour without being overtaken by other waves, which follow on hard behind them; for if they fail of steering their little barks directly through the narrow spaces between the rocks on the shore, they are obliged to leave them to be dashed against the rocks, while they make a precipitate retreat themselves, by diving under the wave that is rushing upon them with its violence and fury. They must resort co the same expedient, if, by mistake, they mount one of the smaller surfs, which geneally breaks before reaching the shore, and rops them into the gulf below. These exeriments the natives repeat, during two or hree hours at a time, with incredible courage

nd success.

The race, another amusement in which oth boys and girls engaged in competition, as still more rude, and altogether more percious in its influence on the mind then thi

needed by these people. At these r gers were generally laid, either by the tors or spectators; and hence they c ended in dissatisfaction, if not in a b have, in the voyages of Captain account of a man who was seen be breast, and tearing his hair, in the of rage, in consequence of having lo of these races, three hatchets, whic just before purchased of the foreig nearly half his property. This state differs not at all from that commonly from horse-racing, and other modes bling in our own country.

The boxing matches, at which va of people always assembled, were mo in their nature, and more injurious consequences, than their races. T national game, instituted in honou celebrated king Lono, whom I ha mentioned to you; and who, in his w through the islands, when in a stat rium, boxed or wrestled with all he practice commenced immediately left the islands, and was conducted blished principles, superintendents pointed, who regulated the games, a all matters of dispute.

The dance was another favourit ment of these islanders, and though and violent than the boxing match, effect on the morals of the people;

account it has of late been prohibited by the chiefs. These dances were sometimes performed by two persons, and sometimes whole multitudes engaged in them. They were frequently introduced by a pensive song, in which most of the company present united; at the same time slowly moving their feet, and gently beating their breasts. The tune and movements presently began to quicken, and at length became exceedingly rapid. The person who could continue the longest in this exercise, and exhibit the greatest variety of gestures, was applauded as the best dancer.

Their music was of the rudest kind. The principal instrument used on these occasions was a drum, made either from a piece of wood, or a cocoa-nut shell, hollowed, and covered at the ends with pieces of shark's skin. The musicians were seated on the ground, and beat upon the drums with the palms of their hands, or with short sticks.

A hura-hura, or native dance, which was vitnessed by more than two thousand persons, s thus described by Mr. Stewart. The dancers were two interesting girls, ten years of age. 'heir dresses were of beautiful yellow native loth, arranged in thick folds and festoons om the waist to the knee, with wreaths of vergreen and wild flowers on their heads and ecks, ornaments of ivory on their wrists, and

Among the people, festivals are in commemoration of the death guished personages, or of any other importance to the nation. When th company of missionaries, sent from reached the islands in 1823, the in were engaged in celebrating an an in memory of the late king, Kam That you may form an idea of the and parade attending these frequen tions, I will mention some circ which occurred during the one w missionaries witnessed; and I wil mark, that since intercourse wit countries has become common, ma of foreign manufacture have been br the islands, and these are used in to add to the magnificence of the festivals. These generally contin days; the time being occupied by