MR. BARRAUD.  “The Bay of Islands is quite in the north, and has been for the last thirty years the favorite resort of whale-ships.  Upwards of thirty vessels have been anchored there at the same time; and at this bay the chief intercourse between European vessels and New Zealand has principally taken place.  Numerous islands are sprinkled over the space, and several creeks or entrances of rivers penetrate the surrounding country.  It is on the north and west sides of this bay that the principal territories of Shunghee, the New Zealand chief who visited this country, are situated; and in these spots the horrid rites of this superior race of savages have also been witnessed.”

MR. WILTON.  “It is remarkable that when New Zealand was first discovered, there were no animals whatever on the islands except a few species of lizards, which quadrupeds the inhabitants held in great veneration and terror.  Even the rat and dog were introduced by Europeans; and the rat is at present the principal species of game.  A good many parrots, parroquets, wild ducks, pigeons of large size and fine flavor, inhabit the forests; and poultry are found to thrive very well, though not yet reared to any great extent.  Indeed, if we except their prisoners of war, (for the New Zealanders were cannibals,) almost the only animal food hitherto used by them has been fish, which abounds around their coasts.”

GEORGE.  “They must be right glad that Europeans have visited them.”

CHARLES.  “I understand that when pigs were first introduced into New Zealand, the natives, not knowing what animals they were, nor what were their uses, mounted two, and forthwith rode them to death!  They had seen some horses on board Captain Cook’s vessel, and supposed the pigs to be for the same purpose.”

MRS. WILTON.  “The New Zealanders are a fine race, but not exempt from vice.  They do not regard lying or stealing as crimes, and are remarkable for their propensities to make use of these qualifications on every available occasion.  Captain Cook relates an instance which will give you a tolerable idea of the native character:—­He had been purchasing a great quantity of fish from the natives.  He says, ’While we were on the traffic, they showed a great inclination to pick my pockets; and to take away the fish with one hand which they had just given me with the other.  This evil, one of the chiefs undertook to remove, and with fury in his eyes made a show of keeping the people at a proper distance.  I applauded his conduct, but at the same time kept so good a look-out as to detect him picking my pocket of a handkerchief, which I suffered him to put in his bosom, before I seemed to know anything of the matter, and then told him what I had lost.  He seemed quite ignorant and innocent, until I took it from him; then he put it off with a laugh, acting his part with so much address, that it was hardly possible to be angry with him; so we remained good friends, and he accompanied me on board to dinner.’”