him with the name of Paari (wise or instructed), by which name he is now always spoken of among the natives; several of whom still remember him. He appears to have passed the remainder of his life in inglorious indolence or wanton crime, to have become the mere instrument of the caprice or cruelty of the king of the island, who not only availed himself of the effects of his fire-arms in periods of war, but frequently ordered him to shoot at a man at a certain distance, to see how far the musket would do execution; or to despatch with his pistol, in the presence of the king, the ill-fated objects of his deadly anger."
Thus as, on landing, he resumed the worship of his country's idols, he soon relapsed into its vices; instead of proving a blessing to the island, he was rather a curse; and, as Mr. Ellis further observes, the majority of those whom he heard speak of him, "mentioned his name with execration, rather than respect." Had sufficient pains been taken, while he was in England, to imbue his mind with the principles of true religion, and to instruct him in some of the useful arts, the result might have been. very different.
The spot where his house stood retains the name Beritani, or Britain; a shaddock tree, planted by Capt. Cook, grows in his garden; his helmet, some other parts of his armour, and some cutlasses, are still displayed on the sides of the house erected. there; and even a few of his toys, including a jack-in-a-box, are preserved as curiosities. It is gratifying to add, that as Omai's bible is preserved,
1777, must have been superseded by some other chief more advanced in years; for that boy could not have a daughter of sufficient age to be Omai's wife, previous to 1788.
