whom they had been fo long intimate; befides, Churchill was partial to their climate, which was remarkably fertile and agreeable. Chriftian, after fome confideration with himself, privately communicated to Churchill and Stewart his wishes of gaining the favour of all, or as many as poffible of the chiefs of the other districts, for fear fome unforefeen misfortune might compel them to take refuge in one of their islands. In order, therefore, to fecure a warm reception elsewhere, whenever neceffity urged, he recommended to these, and afterwards to the reft, to take wives from the different islands, as by fuch union they might establish a future settlement. He also advifed all his people to obferve the manners of the natives, and accuftom themselves to them; hoping by fuch imitation to win their good graces, and render their friendship more ftable: However, he cautioned them not to be too precipitate or remarkable in their exertions to please, but to affect a fimilarity of manner by degrees, and gradually to creep into their favour. Agreeable to Chriftian's advice,, Stewart took a wife of no inconfiderable rank among the natives; the was related to a chief near Malavai Bay, who had chofen Stewart for his friend or Tayo, before the match had been thought of. Their union was celebrated with a grand feaft, and the congratulations of a numerous affembly were profufely bestowed upon the happy partners. Stewart's father-in-law was a native of great property, whofe fortune confifted in land, this being efteemed here the greatest wealth. He now, conformable to their cuftom, took upon him the name of Stewart, and gave his own title to his fon-inlaw. Chriftian and Churchill likewife bore foreign titles by means of their Tayofhips'; Mills, Morrifon, and Quintal, had alfo the fame ho nour, owing to their connections with the daughters of three refpectable chiefs belonging to the fame diftricts. Tinah and the chiefs of Otaheite did not much relish the connections between thefe two mutineers and their neighbours. Chriftian was not aware of the jealoufy it would create, but from the diftant behaviour of Tinah afterwards, he perceived it was not altogether agreeable. In order to fecure his own fafety, and render himself the more agreeable to the inhabitants of Otaheite, he confined all his female connections to that ifland only. Let it not, however, be thought that Christian by so acting was ftudying his own interest alone; it was, on the contrary, the refult of after-confideration; he was far from being felfish or unfriendly, for, fetting afide his bafe ingratitude to Captain Bligh, he difplayed many inftances of true friendship. He frequently condemned himself for the commiffion of his horrid crime, but as frequently declared that he would die before he would ever yield to undergo that punishment his country would infli&t. his "No never, never (were) words) fhall Fletcher be brought to juftice for what he has done: though thoufands and ten thousands attacked me, I'd die ere I would furrender. I'd rather meet a host of devils than once fee the injured Captain Bligh's relations." The mutineers, agreeable to their leader's voice, began now to imitate the manners of the natives. Churchill was the firft who attempted to chew the Yava, a root of an intoxicating nature, but which, instead of exhilarating the fpirits, rather stupifies them. It is productive of many difagreeable confequences, as it not only debilitates the conftitution, but likewife occafions a diforder fimilar to the leprofy; notwithstanding which, it is a high honour to par take take thereof, as none but the chiefs, or arees, have the king's permiffion to use it. Previous to their taking it, it is firft chewed by their attendants, who, as foon as it is well maficated, put it into a neat wooden bowl made for the purpofe, and a fmall quantity of water being poured over, they fqueeze it well, ftraining the liquor always through a piece of cloth; after which they adminifter it to their mafters, who drink it with the greatest gout. This root, tho' quite different from our liquorice, in tafle and effect, refembles it very much in shape and colour. Churchill could not conform to the custom of ufing it after it was chewed, and therefore had the first and best of it; but it made him fo exceedingly ill that he refused to tafte it ever after. Ellifon alfo made a trial of it, but having drank or rather fucked a moderate fhare, he was not fo great a fufferer: he was induced to the attempt in hopes that it would answer the room of tobacco. Coleman was continually employing his ingenuity in promoting the welfare of the iflanders. Imagining it poffible to extract rum and fugar from the remarkably fine fugar canes which grew in great abundance here, he made a ftill, and fucceeded in the experiment; but then, perceiving his own people were already inclined to animofity, and dreading that the produce of his labour might be the means of heightening thofe contentions by intoxication, and perhaps, of creating different broils between the English and natives, the effects whereof might have a fatal tendency, he immediately broke his ftill, and thus terminated his labour! It is doubtful whether he is more deferving of praife for the ingenuity of his contrivance, or for his prudence in def troying it. Certainly their fituation was fo critical that inebriety might have been attended with dreadful .confequences. So far had they now adopted the manners of the natives, that they not only had their meals at those stated periods which the natives chose, but likewife imitated their manner of eating-ufing (hells inftead of knives. Some of the feamen were likewife determined to undergo the operation of tattooing, which confifts in making figures on the body by fearring, and is not only painful (while doing) but exceedingly tedious. In bearing thofe characteristic ftains they thought to render themselves the more agree able to the inhabitants. The first who underwent this operation was John Sumner; and Oedidy, a chief, provided a perfon whofe profeffion it was to perform it. The hinder part of his loins and thighs were marked with black lines in various forms... These marks were made by ftriking the teeth of an inftrument which refembles a comb just through the skin, and rubbing a fort of paste made of foot and oil into the parts thus ftruck, which leaves thereon an indelible flain. Sumner made many wry faces during the performance, but he was afraid of incurring the ridicule and raillery of the natives by making any noife, therefore bore the pain of this dreadful operation with as much patience as he poffibly could. After this a few of the other men were tattooed. Heywood and Coleman likewife underwent the operation. Thefe were marked in chequers, which are emblems of rank and diftinction. Stewart was the first who adopted the natives manner of dreffing meat, which he did in an entertainment he gave to feveral chiefs who were introduced by his father-in-law. Water being the chief drink of the island it was not much relished by our English heroes, who frequently wished for fpirits or wine, as by this time the liquors which they had on board were all ufed, except a little that was referved for occafional drinking. drinking. Coleman was frequently upbraided for breaking the ftill, and as frequently courted to renew his labour; but this he peremptorily refufed, being too well convinced of the difpofition of his partners, who, if they had had an opportunity, would certainly have indulged their intemperance. After dinner and fupper they had fugar canes to chew, which the natives used in the fame manner. With this they were oblig. ed to content themselves instead of a bottle and glass. The chief who had made Churchil his Tayo was now taken ill, and notwithstanding all the affifiance that was adminiftred to him (for the people of this ifland are exceedingly kilful) he died. Their cures in furgery are wonderful, but their phyfical knowledge is more confined. (The chief was attended by one of the priests, who are alfo their phyfi cians; but after he had applied the juice of fome herbs he hook his head, in order to indicate that diffo. lution was inevitable. The title and eftate of this chief defcended to Churchill according to the law of Tayofhip; and a day being appoint. ed for the ceremony, Churchill received all the honours which are paid upon this occafion. About this time feveral of the mutineers difagreed among themfelves, and that jealoufy and envy which Chriftian fo much dreaded, began now to fpread their baneful influence among them, and be productive of continual diffention. The refpect which the natives paid to fome more than others was the occafion of much private fpleen. Chriftian, Churchill, Young, and Stewart, had feveral enemies, particularly the former, who carried himself, they thought, in too fupercilious a manner, when, in fact, the pride and authority which Chriftian affected were for their general fafety. Soon after Churchill had come in to poffeffion of his new title and eftate, he defired Thompson, who was one of their feamen, to fill two veffels which he had with water. Thomfon felt himself hurt at being thus commanded, and asked if he knew whom he was fpeaking to? "To a feaman," replied Churchill, with aftern look; " but perhaps you forget that I am master at arms." "I remember," anfwered Thomfon, equally haughtily, "I remenber what you were when Bligh was our commander; but as to what you are, I think you now no better than myself, although the people here have dubbed you a chief. To be a fervant to a villain is intolerable, for we are all villains alike; perhaps, if the truth were known, you are a greater villain than fome among us Churchill interrupted Thomson with a menace, which the other difregarding, faid with a fneer, " D-n you, tho' you are a chief, you shall be your own fervant for me." Some of the natives were attracted to the fpot where thefe difputants were by the noife they made, and not understanding why their chief Churchill fhould be treated in this infolent manner, obliged Thomson to retire. This cut him to the very heart, and he began now to meditate revenge both against Churchill and Chriftian. It is neceffary to remark, that Christian had advised his men always to carry their guns ready charged with them, for fear of any fudden attack of the natives; for he did not know how foon a breach between them might take place. The next day Churchill and Thomfon met again, when the latter, being of a vindictive difpofition, renewed the contention; Churchill was exceedingly warm, having been provoked by Thomson's upbraiding him as one of the greateft villains (alluding to 46 to his being one of the ringleaders,) in feeming perfection, though it foon and above all with his exclaiming in waltes away. Thefe operations bea fcornful manner, Oh, what a ing performed, the corple was great chief!" that, lofing all pa- fhrouded, and the relations of the tience, Churchill replied with much chief whom Churchill fucceeded berage, "Hold your tongue, fcoundrel,' ing filent mourners, it was conveyed or, by G-, I'll kick you." Scoun- on a bier fupported on mens fhouldrel!" echoed Thomfon, who im- ders, according to our fashion, while mediately levelled his musket at a prieft attended the proceffion, which him, and lodged the contents in his was frequently repeated backwards, breaft. and forwards fprinkling the ground occafionally with water, and praying in broken fentences. Afterwards the body was laid on a kind of a stage erected for the purpose, as they never depofite a corpfe in the Morai, or burial-place, till the flesh is entirely wafted from off the bones. Three natives were prefent when Churchill fell, who by their loud lamentations foon collected others. Thomson, apprehenfive of their fury, fled. Churchill lived but a few minutes, during which time he could not speak; the ball had entered near his heart. He was conveyed in great folemnity to the habitation of that chief whom he fucceeded. The murder was foon reported to Christian, who was extremely affect ed at the news. Tinah inquired if he did not mean to put to death the offender: but Chriftian apprehended that if he threatened Thomfon with punishment he might be tempted to make a difcovery of the mutiny bufinefs and bring deftruction upon all their heads. Chriftian therefore evaded coming to any refolution, but hinted that Churchill, being a chief of theirs, and regarded by them as one of their own people, they fhould take the bufinefs under their confideration. In the mean time, both the men and women were bewailing the untimely death of Churchill; the latter were particularly clamorous in their grief, and continued their lamentations for feveral nights. Having obtained Chriftian's permiffion, they intended to bury him according to their own funeral ceremonies; the body was therefore difembowelled in order to avoid putrefaction, the intestines and viscera drawn out, and the cavities fupplied with cloth; after which it was conftantly rubbed with cocoa-nut oil, which keeps it Ed. Mag. June 1796. Thomfon, in the mean time, being more afraid of his own people than of the natives, had fome thoughts of repairing to the island of Huaheine; for he knew well that Churchill, whom he had murdered, was one of Chriftian's private counfellors, and he naturally fuppofed that Chriftian would refent his death; not only out of respect to the memory of the deceafed, but in order to prevent any future disturbance among his own people, which might have a fimilar termination. He was, however, unprovided with proper neceffaries for his intended expedition, and wandered about feveral hours, subsisting upon thofe berries which were edible, and which he pulled from off the trees in his way. Thomfon's prefent anxiety was in avoiding his own party, for he did not entertain the fmalleft fufpicion of the natives becoming his enemies, who, as he thought, would leave it to Chriftian to punish his offence, not knowing that Chriftian had refigned, that power to them: and in this, indeed, Chriftian may be thought to have acted wifely; for without incurring the refentment of any more of his people, the murderer was amply punished, and his fate was fufficient to deter others from acting in 3 K the the fame violent manner. The re- friend of the deceafed than of him, rejected his propofals of peace, and like a man of true valour declared himself an open enemy. Thomson then by figns (which were frequently interrupted by two or three of the natives who were continually making efforts to advance, at whom he as frequently prefented his empty mufket) reprefented to the chief how unfair it was for fo many to come upon one man. The chief not only underflood, but felt this remark, and, by fome fignal which he gave, obliged his party to retire, while he came up to Thomfon by himself. Thomfon hoping to court his favour, made no efforts of defence; he received, however, a blow from the chief, whereupon he reeled fome paces, while the muket dropt from his hands. Thomson now fell a vićtim to their fury; but though he was dealt with in a most barbarous manner, he did not fuffer a lingering death. His limbs were all feparated, and every chief who was related to Churchill by Tayofhip demanded a part. The nearest of kin received his skull. As foon as they had retired Thomson endeavoured to fly, but in this he was disappointed; for the natives had divided themselves into parties, and he found himself fo fur rounded that refuge was impoffible. He prefented his musket at this party, as he had done before, which for a while postponed their intentions. Perceiving among thefe a chief whom he had been lately on good terms with, he made figns to speak to him, holding out his hands as a token of friendĺhip. But to his great furprise the chief being more the Oedidy reported the unhappy catastrophe of Thomfon to Chrif tian. It is impoffible to defcribe his feelings upon the occafion. He felt not for Thomfon or Churchill, but his own fate; and indeed he had fome reafon to think that, encouraged by their fuccefs now, they would be induced on every frivolous occafion to renew their attacks, and by fuch means exterminate his whole party. FROM COUNT STOLBER'S TRAVELS IN HOLLAND, SWISSERLAND, ITALY, AND SICILY, IN 1791 and 1792. A Naples, 11 Feb. 1792. Great city is a great evil. It devours the population of a country. It is the grave of good morals, and exhales to a great diftance its peftiferous influence. Naples is |
