could quickly assemble in crowds, at any spot, to which curiosity, pleasure, or interest might draw them; and could remain there, with little inconvenience, for days or weeks. The fertility and natural riches of their soil afforded them seasons of leisure, unknown in less fruitful countries.
When without toil she gave them all they wanted?
The bread-fruit ripen'd, while they lay beneath
Its shadow, in luxurious indolence;
The cocoa fill'd its nuts with milk and kernels,
While they were sauntering on the shores and mountains;
And while they slumber'd from their heavy meals,
In dead forgetfulness of life itself,
The fish were spawning in unsounded depths,
The birds were breeding in adjacent trees,
The game was fattening in delicious pastures,
Unplanted roots were thriving under ground,
To spread the tables of their future banquets!
The Resolution continued here ten days, during which, several excursions were made into the country, particularly by Mr. Forster and the naturalists; many friendly visits passed between the captain and Oreo, and entertainments were mutually given. Native plays were performed daily, in several of which allusions were made to the British visitors. There were various theatres, and sets of performers. The only actress at Oreo's theatre was his daughter, a pretty brown girl, at whose shrine, on these occasions, many offerings were made by her numerous votaries. In one performance, acted by a set of brawny fellows, the closing scene was the representation of a woman in labour, bringing forth a son; and as the person representing the child had his nose pressed, as soon as he was taken hold of, it was inferred, that this people, like many of the African tribes, flatten the
