Narrative of the Circumnavigation of the Globe by the Austrian Frigate Novara, Volume III (Commodore B. Von Wullerstorf-Urbair,) Undertaken by Order of the Imperial Government in the Years 1857, 1858, & 1859, Under the Immediate Auspices of His I. and R. Highness the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, Commander-In-Chief of the Austrian Navy.

CHAPTER XX.

Chapter 3155 wordsPublic domain

TAHITI.

State of the island at the close of last century.--The London Missionary Society and its emissaries.--Great mortality among the native population.--First arrival of Catholic Priests in Oceania.--French Protectorate and its consequences.--The Tahitian Parliament and Tahitian debaters.--William Howe.--Adam Kulczycki.--Scientific aims and achievements.--The Catholic mission.--_Pré Catalan_ and native dances.--Prisoners of war from New Caledonia.--Point Venus.--Guava-fields.--The fort of Fautáua.--Lake Waiiria.--Popular _Fête_ at Faáa.--Ball given by the Governor.--Queen Pomáre.--Geographical notes on Tahiti and Eimeo.--Climate.--Vegetation.--The Kawa root, and the intoxicating drink produced from it.--Great expense of the French Stations in Oceania.--Projects of reform.--Results of English and French colonization.--Two Convicts.--Departure.--The Whaler _Emily Morgan_.--Attempt to fix the zero point of magnetic declination.--"Colique végétale."--A victim.--Pitcairn Island.--A fire-side tale of the tropical world.--An accident without ill results.--Humboldt's Current.--Arrival at Valparaiso. 199