to Otaheite, or some other of the Friendly Islands.  For our parts we trust this will not be attempted without much larger consideration than such a matter is likely to have met with, in the of late grievously over-worked state of our public offices—­distracted as they have all been by incessant change of hands, to say nothing of systems.  Should the population increase, as doubtless it will ere long, beyond the means of subsistence which so small a spot affords, there will never be wanting opportunities for the roving spirits among them, male and female, to emigrate to other parts of the world; but we confess we should witness with great regret the summary breaking up of so virtuous and happy a community.  To hear of these innocent creatures being transplanted per saltum into any of the sinks of wickedness in New South Wales or Van Diemen’s Land, would be utterly horrible.  It would not be much better than leaving ’Sweet Auburn’ for the hulks.

Captain Beechey winds up his account of these interesting people in the following words, with which, as they are calculated to leave a very pleasing, and we believe a just impression on the reader’s mind, we shall conclude our notice of this part of the voyage:—­

’During the whole time I was with them, I never heard them indulge in a joke, or other levity, and the practice of it is apt to give offence:  they are so accustomed to take what is said in its literal meaning, that irony was always considered a falsehood, in spite of explanation.  They could not see the propriety of uttering what was not strictly true, for any purpose whatever.

’The Sabbath-day is devoted entirely to prayer, reading, and serious meditation.  No boat is allowed to quit the shore, nor any work whatever to be done, cooking excepted, for which preparation is made the preceding evening.  I attended their church on this day, and found the service well conducted; the prayers were read by Adams, and the lessons by Buffet, the service being preceded by hymns.  The greatest devotion was apparent in every individual, and in the children there was a seriousness unknown in the younger part of our communities at home.  In the course of the Litany they prayed for their sovereign and all the royal family with much apparent loyalty and sincerity.  Some family prayers, which were thought appropriate to their particular case, were added to the usual service; and Adams, fearful of leaving out any essential part, read in addition all those prayers which are intended only as substitutes for others.  A sermon followed, which was very well delivered by Buffet; and lest any part of it should be forgotten or escape attention, it was read three times.  The whole concluded with hymns, which were first sung by the grown people, and afterwards by the children.  The service thus performed was very long; but the neat and cleanly appearance of the congregation, the devotion that animated every countenance, and the innocence