The scarcity of hogs at Otaheite may be owing to two causes; first, to the number which have been consumed, and carried off by the shipping which have touched here of late years; and, secondly, to the frequent wars between the two kingdoms.  We know of two since the year 1767; at present a peace subsists between them, though they do not seem to entertain much friendship for each other.  I never could learn the cause of the late war, nor who got the better in the conflict.  In the battle, which put an end to the dispute, many were killed on both sides.  On the part of Opoureonu, fell Toutaha, and several other chiefs, who were mentioned to me by name.  Toutaha lies interred in the family Marai at Oparree; and his mother, and several other women who were of his household, are now taken care of by Otoo, the reigning prince—­a man who, at first, did not appear to us to much advantage.  I know but little of Waheatoua of Tiarrabou.  This prince, who is not above twenty years of age, appeared with all the gravity of a man of fifty.  His subjects do not uncover before him, or pay him any outward obeisance as is done to Otoo; nevertheless, they seem to shew him full as much respect, and he appeared in rather more state.  He was attended by a few middle-aged, or elderly men, who seemed to be his counsellors.  This is what appeared to me to be the then state of Otaheite.  The other islands, that is, Huaheine, Ulietea, and Otaha, were in a more flourishing state than they were when I was there before.  Since that time, they had enjoyed the blessing of peace; the people seemed to be as happy as any under heaven; and well they may, for they possess not only the necessaries, but many of the luxuries of life in the greatest profusion; and my young man told me that hogs, fowls, and fruits, are in equal plenty at Bola-bola, a thing which Tupia would never allow.  To clear up this seeming contradiction, I must observe, that the one was prejudiced against, and the other in favour of, this isle.

The produce of the islands, the manners and customs of the natives, &c. having been treated at large in the narrative of my former voyage, it will be unnecessary to take notice of these subjects in this, unless where I can add new matter, or clear up any mistakes which may have been committed.

As I had some reason to believe, that amongst their religious customs, human sacrifices were sometimes considered as necessary, I went one day to a Marai in Matavai, in company with Captain Furneaux; having with us, as I had upon all other occasions, one of my men who spoke their language tolerably well, and several of the natives, one of whom appeared to be an intelligent sensible man.  In the Marai was a Tupapow, on which lay a corpse and some viands; so that every thing promised success to my enquiries.  I began with asking questions relating to the several objects before me, if the plantains, &c. were for the Eatua?  If they sacrificed