I had several times pressed Mrs Reichardt for the conclusion of her
story, but she had always seemed reluctant to resume the subject. It
was evidently full of painful incidents, and she shrunk from dwelling
upon them. At last, one evening we were sitting together, she working
with her needle and I employed upon a net she had taught me how to
manufacture, and I again led the conversation to the narrative my
companion had left unfinished. She sighed heavily and looked
distressed.
"It is but natural you should expect this of me, my son," she said; "but
you little know the suffering caused by my recalling the melancholy
events that I have to detail. However, I have led you to expect the
entire relation, and, therefore, I will endeavour to realise your
anticipations."
I assured her I was ready to wait, whenever it might be agreeable for
her to narrate the termination of her interesting history.
"It will never be agreeable to me," she replied mournfully; "indeed I
would forget it if I could; but that is impossible. The struggle may as
well be made now, as at any time. I will therefore commence by
informing you, that during our long voyage to the Sandwich Islands, I
found ample opportunity for studying the disposition of my husband. He
was much changed since he first left me, but his was still the same
grateful nature, full of truth and purity, that had won me towards him
when a child. A holy enthusiasm seemed now to exalt him above ordinary
humanity. I could scarcely ever get him to talk upon any but religious
subjects, and those he treated in so earnest and exalted a manner, that
it was impossible to avoid being carried away with his eloquence.
"He seemed to feel the greatness of his destination, as though it had
raised him to an equality with the adventurous saints, who established
the banner of Christ among the Pagan nations of Europe. He was fond of
dilating upon the importance of his mission, and of dwelling on the
favour that had been vouchsafed him, in causing him to be selected for
so high and responsible a duty.
"It was evident that he would rather have been sent to associate with
the barbarous people whom he expected to make his converts, than have
been raised to the richest bishopric in England. And yet, with this
exultation, there was a spirit of deep melancholy pervading his
countenance, as well as his discourses, that seemed to imply a sense of
danger. The nimbus of the saint in his eyes, was associated with the
crown of martyrdom. He seemed to look forward to a fatal termination of
his ministry, as the most natural and proper conclusion of his labours.
"His conversation often filled me with dread. His intimations of danger
seemed at first very shocking, but, at last, I got more familiar with
these terrible suggestions, and regarded them as the distempered fancies
of an over-worked mind.
"In this way our long voyage passed, and we arrived at last at our place
of destination. When we had disembarked, the scene that presented
itself to me was so strange, that I could almost believe I had passed
into a new world. The most luxurious vegetation, of a character I had
never seen before--the curious buildings--the singular forms of the
natives, and their peculiar costume--excited my wonder to an intense
degree.
"My husband applied himself diligently to learn the language of the
people, whilst I as intently studied their habits and customs. We both
made rapid progress.
"As soon as I could make myself understood, I endeavoured to make
friends with the women, particularly with the wives of the great men,
and although I was at first the object of more curiosity than regard, I
persisted in my endeavours, and succeeded in establishing with many a
good understanding.
"I found them ignorant of everything that in civilised countries is
considered knowledge--their minds being enveloped in the most deplorable
darkness--the only semblance of religion in use amongst them being a
brutal and absurd idolatry.
"I often tried to lead them to the consideration of more humanising
truths, for the purpose of preparing the way for the inculcation of the
great mysteries of our holy religion; but the greater portion of my
hearers were incompetent to understand what I seemed so desirous of
teaching, and my making them comprehend the principles of Christianity,
appeared to be a hopeless task.
"Yet I continued my pious labours, without allowing my exertions to
flag--making myself useful to them and their families in every way I
could--attending them when sick--giving them presents when well--and
showing them every kindness likely to make a favourable impression on
their savage natures. In this way I proceeded doing good, till I found
an opportunity of being of service to a young girl, about twelve years
of age, who was a younger sister of one of the wives of a great chief.
She had sprained her ankle, and was in great pain, when I applied the
proper remedies and gave her speedy relief. Hooloo, for that was her
name, from that moment became warmly attached to me; and finding her of
an affectionate and ingenuous disposition, I became extremely desirous
of improving upon the good impression I had made.
"At the same time my husband sought, by his knowledge of the mechanical
arts, and some acquaintance with medicine, to recommend himself to the
men. He also met with much difficulty at first, in making his
information properly appreciated. He sought to increase their
comforts--to introduce agricultural implements of a more useful
description, and to lead then generally towards the conveniences and
decencies of civilisation. He built himself a house and planted a
garden, and cultivated some land, in which he showed the superior
advantages of what he knew, to what they practised. They seemed to
marvel much, but continued to go on in their own way.
"He also went amongst them as a physician, and having acquired
considerable knowledge of medicine and simple surgery, he was enabled to
work some cures in fevers and spear-wounds, that in course of time made
for him so great a reputation, that many of the leading chiefs sent for
him, when anything ailed then or their families, and they were so well
satisfied with what he did for them, that he began to be looked upon as
one who was to be treated with particular respect and honour by all
classes of the natives, from the highest to the lowest.
"On one occasion the king required his services. He was suffering from
a sort of colic, for which the native doctors could give him no relief.
My husband administered some medicines, and stayed with his majesty
until they had the desired effect, and the result being a complete
recovery, seemed so astonishing to all the members of his Sandwich
majesty's court, that the doctor was required to administer the same
medicine to every one, from the queen to the humblest of her attendants,
though all were apparently in good health. He managed to satisfy then
with a small portion only of the mixture, which he was quite certain
could do them no harm: and they professed to be wonderfully the better
for it."