Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/486

 452 FIJI AND THE FIJIAl^S. The sacrifice to them was very great. Years of hard toil were lost, and they had to commence the world afresh. Messrs. Whippy and Co. were the principal losers, having to leave the frame of a large vessel, which they were building to sail to the Australian colonies. This firm — joined by some other white residents — kindly gave their time to erect a wooden house at Viwa for Mr. Hunt, in which he died, and which has been very useful ever since. Their new residence at Solevu was very inconvenient for intercourse with ships visiting Fiji, on which they mainly depended. The situation also proved unhealthy. They longed to be back to Levuka, with its delightful streams, shingle beach, and good harbour, easy of access. The young Chiefs of Levuka and ]Ibau had both found out the incon- venience of not having the white men's property at hand : so that, on application being made to allow them to return, permission was readily granted. In visiting Ovalau in 1849, shortly after their return, Mr. Calvert was pleased to observe the great improvement manifest since he remained with them for a fortnight ten years previously. He had a good congregation at the English service. The wives had made progress in reading, and some of them were consistent church-members. Their children were numerous. There were also many orphans belonging to white men who had died, or left the islands. These children were adopted by the white residents, and brought up as their own. The foreigners were anxious to have a Missionary or Schoolmaster, that their children might be educated, and offered to contribute towards the expense. Conscious of the importance of paying attention to these people, and especially to the education of their children, who were rising up to act a conspicuous and influential part in Fiji, an appeal was made to the Wesley an Missionary Society in England for a Missionary, or trained Schoolmaster who was a Local Preacher, to labour among them. In the meantime, in May, 1850, another Native Teacher was supplied from Viwa, a man of an excellent spirit, who was fully devoted to the work, and who laboured with great zeal, acceptance, and success. The piety of the women improved, and many of them proved faithful wives. Some of them rendered essential service as Teachers in the schools, and some of the more established became Class-leaders. The Chief of Levuka, however, was vexed with the white men for receiving this Teacher, and said that, if they did not send him away, he himself would leave Levuka. He soon, however, became reconciled to his remaining; and shortly after, with several of his people, abandoned Heathenism, opened • his house for preaching, and sent to Viwa for a ]Iissionary to reside in his town, so that the Teachers might be spared for other places under his