Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/476

 442 ' FIJI AlTD THE FIJIANS." backing the long-continued remonstrances and efforts of the Mission- aries. Captain Erskine mentions the influence which Mr. Calvert had already acquired over the Chief, " by the most upright and judicious conduct on his part. Without giving in for a moment to any of the Chief's improper or unreasonable desires, or attempting to flatter his vanity, he seemed, on the contrary, to lose no opportunity of admin- istering a reproof or expressing disapprobation when any occasion occurred to call for it, treating the Chief at the same time with the respect due to his station, and affording him no pretext for an accusation of arrogance or undue interference. I remarked, with great pleasure, that, in addressing Thakombau, Mr. Calvert always made use of the term Saka, ' Sir,' a piece of courtesy as creditable to him as a gentle- man and minister of religion to pay, as satisfactory to the Chief to receive. The ultimate success of such a course of policy, if pursued by all the members of the Mission towards a race attached to their Chiefs and fond of ceremonious politeness, and at the same time of a strong and discriminating intellect, seems certain, and must eflect a great improvement, in the course of a few years, in the habits and civilization of this people." "I have more than once alluded, in my journal, to the judgment displayed by the Missionaries in dealing with this people, which has had the efl?ect of inspiring an habitual feeling of respect towards them." "It would be a waste of time to dilate on the disinterestedness of the motives which have impelled men to face the horrors and dangers to which the Missionaries are exposed among the Fijis, or on their zeal, courage, and moderation with which they fulfil their self-imposed duties ; nor could even those who deride their motives refuse to acknowledge that, without any reference to the question of religious truth, the effect of their residence and exertions has been to give a general feeling of confidence in the ordinary intercourse between the natives and foreigners, laying the foundation of a most extensive and valuable trade with these productive islands." During the next month, another of her Majesty's ships, the " Daphne," visited Fiji, from the Pacific Station. The Commander, Captain E. G. Fanshawe, made special eflfort to bring the Rewan war to an end. He also followed up Captain Erskine's attempt to dissuade Thakombau from complying with custom, which would require the strangling of so many at his father's death. His letter to the Chief is here given : — "H.B.M.S. Daphne, " To Toi-ViTi,— At Sea, Oct. t7i, 1849. " Being now about to leave the Fiji Islands, I am led by an earnest desire for their