t
in a wild state. Magnificent convolvuluses and lilies, rare ferns--of
which I gathered, perhaps, as rare a collection--amongst them two or
three species of tree ferns, great raspberries and gooseberries; and a
very arcadia of flowers, lovely objects all for the artist's pencil.

The women seem devoid of that quality we so much admire in Englishwomen,
and which is so rarely found beyond England's shores--the quality of
modesty. It is rather embarrassing, for instance, whilst bathing to find
your clothes--which you had left on the beach--the centre of an admiring
and criticising crowd of ladies, handling and trying on each separate
article of your rather intricate wardrobe, and wishing, no doubt, the
owner would swim to shore and help them in their efforts. Such
unaffected simplicity and ingenuousness is most refreshing to witness.

How extremely alike child nature is all over the world! Observing a
little half-famished girl in a canoe alongside, I handed her a piece of
jam tart through the port. At first she was at a loss what to do with
it, but soon following out an universal law in such cases, she ventured
to put it to her mouth. The result may be expected; for no matter how
widely tastes differ, every child likes jam. It was real good to see the
hearty way in which that copper-skinned maid smacked her tiny cherry
lips, and looked her grateful thanks through her great lustrous almond
eyes. With the intention, perhaps, of sharing the delicacy with her
brothers and sisters, who shall say? she carefully wrapped up the
remainder, and placed it inside her only garment. How often, dear
reader, have you and I not done similarly at school feasts? Though this
little Loo-Choo's heart was willing, the flesh was weak; the parcel was
again taken out, re-examined, and re-tasted--but with evident
reluctance--till, finally, after a few ineffectual efforts to overcome
selfishness, the whole was consumed.

It is satisfactory to be able to write that in their dealings with this
simple people our men acted always with kindness and consideration;
paying, or offering payment--for it was generally refused--for
everything they had.

The arrival of the "Swift" with our mails was the signal for our
departure from pleasant Loo-Choo.

Perhaps it may be remembered that just about this time English society
at home seems to have undergone a mental crisis which, at one time,
certainly threatened the fabric of its reason; and all about that abs