I embarked this day on board the abovenamed bark, to accompany my husband on a voyage to the Pacific, intending first to stop at New Zealand, and then proceed to the Feejee Islands to procure a cargo of "beech de mer." For many years my husband had been accustomed to visit these islands on trading voyages, and had become familiar with the language and customs of their inhabitants. On our passage out, nothing occurred worthy of particular note. It is sufficient to say, that we had the usual complement of squalls, calms and strong breezes, and I had my full share of sea-sickness.

This morning Mr. W. procured a boat and men, to take Mrs. C. and myself across the harbor to a place called Pahia, where Rev. Mr. Williams, one of the first missionaries to this place, is settled. Mr. W. was absent. Mrs. W., who is a fine, active woman, received us with apparent pleasure, and showed us about their premises. The mission buildings are situated in a little vale, at the foot of a lofty hill. They consist of a few dwelling houses, a chapel, and a printing office. They had gardens also, filled with the useful and ornamental. We had not been here long when Dr. Ford and his wife came in. They had been to Mrs. C.'s to call upon us, and learning where we were, had followed.

I learned that Mr. W. had been a missionary here about twenty-one years. As our time was limited, having engaged to meet Mr. W. at Wapoa, I could not learn much of their doings.

It had commenced raining fast when we embarked in our little boat. We had a distance of three miles to sail, but the men rowed hard, and in due time we arrived at Wapoa, opposite the consulate. The consul and Mr. W. met us at the landing, and we were conducted to the residence of the former. This fine mansion is situated on a small elevation, and commands a pleasant view in front. Roses, geraniums and many other beautiful flowers were blooming there, but no lady was to be found to grace so delightful a home. Its residents were not Benedicts, and although we found a handsome house, richly furnished, yet there appeared an air of solitariness, a want of something to perfect the whole. The consul favored us with music, and treated us with refreshments, after which, seeing no signs of pleasant weather, we took our leave, and after a sail of half an hour, arrived home.

Thakombau has honored Vewa with a visit. He went into the school, and seemed pleased; said "it was good to learn to read." He has acquired more influence in Feejee, than any other chief.

Several years ago, a dissatisfaction arose in Bau, among some of the chieftains of the place, on account of the arbitrary proceedings of Tanoa. They rose in rebellion, stripped the king of his authority, and would have killed him, had he not fled. Thakombau was then a mere lad, and the rebels thought him quite too young to cause them any trouble. He did not appear to sympathize at all with his father in his troubles, but mingled freely with the rebel party. During this time, however, he was forming plans for his father's restoration. He gathered privately a party to favor his cause, who secretly procured materials, and in one night built a fence around that part of the island where they resided. He then ordered his people to fasten pieces of native cloth on the ends of their spears and arrows, and discharge them at the thatch of the houses of their enemies. In a few moments the dwellings were all in flames, and reduced to ashes. The surprised rebels were not prepared for this sudden attack; some were killed, while others sought safety in flight. Thakombau immediately sent to his father, who was then residing in Rewa. Tanoa returned to Bau, and united his efforts with those of his son in securing the advantages already gained. Bau is near one of the largest islands of the group;—many of the rebels fled thither for safety, but the chiefs, whose protection they sought, either through treachery or fear, betrayed them into the hands of their relentless enemies.

An indiscriminating slaughter ensued; very few escaped the vigilance of Tanoa and his son. The bodies of the slaughtered were cooked and eaten. The Rev. Mr. Cross visited Bau at this time, and found the king feasting upon a dead body, and two more were being cooked for the next meal. On one occasion, he ordered a chief to be brought before him; he then commanded his tongue to be cut out, which he devoured raw, talking and joking with the mutilated chief at the same time. It is said that Thakombau has all the cruelty of his father, and is far superior in his warlike abilities. His influence in Feejee is now almost unbounded. For the last year he has been engaged in a war with Rewa. I think that he may truly be called the Napoleon of Feejee.

A few days since, twenty-five Rewa men were brought to Bau, where they were placed alive on coals of fire, roasted, and then devoured by fiends in human shape. The town of Rewa is situated on the large island about twenty miles from Bau. It is said that the town is large, and contains many inhabitants. Its chiefs are of equal rank with the Bau chiefs, being near relatives.

About seven years ago, a prophecy was delivered in Feejee by a blind man, well known to Namosimalua, and many others in Vewa. The prophet resided in a distant part of the group, which had no political connection with Bau, or Rewa, and he knew but little about either place. At the time the prophecy was delivered, Bau and Rewa were on the best of terms; but he declared that in a few years, there would be war between these two powers. At that time the King of Rewa had four brothers. The prophet declared "that one would die a natural death, another would float away, two would be killed, the most diminutive of the whole would be made king, and the principal chief of Bau would be shot during a war with page 32Rewa." One of the brothers has died a natural death; another has been taken to America, and died; therefore the natives are confidently expecting the fulfilment of the whole prophecy.

Respecting the Feejeean prophets and prophecies, Mr. Hunt says, "Among many other things which clearly show that the Feejeeans have derived their religious ideas from the same source as the Jews, one is remarkable, viz.: the existence of prophets, properly so called, as well as priests. Priests are generally prophets, one part of their work being to predict the success that will attend warlike expeditions, &c.; but there are others, who are more particularly prophets, who foretell distant events, which appear very improbable to any but themselves. The name of this class of persons is 'Rairai,' (seer,) from 'Rai,' to see. This word has a very similar sound to the ancient name of the prophets, who, we are told, 'were called seers at the first.'—1 Sam. 9: 9. The resemblance is to be found in the sense, as well as the sound, and is certainly remarkable. The Hebrew word for seer is 'roeh,' which is the participle of 'raah,' which is certainly much like 'rai,' and means precisely the same. 'Rairai 'is the same word reduplicated, and means the same as roeh; both designate a person who sees preternatural things, yet not always by means of the bodily senses, but in a preternatural way; that is, by means of inspiration. Sometimes the Feejeean seers describe what they predict, in a way exactly similar to the ancient heathen Sybil, expressed in the following lines—

'Wars, horrid wars I foresee,
And Tiber, foaming with a deluge of blood.'

The Feejeean seers profess to see the town whose destruction they predict, in flames; and sometimes declare page 33that they feel the clubs of the successful warriors on their heads."