They demanded money, and were as grasping and cunning in their dealings as the most civilized Europeans.

I offered one of them a small bronze ring; he took it, smelt it, shook his head, and gave me to understand that it was not gold.

He remarked another ring on my finger, and seizing hold of my hand, smelt this second ring as well, then twisted his face into a friendly smile, and made signs for me to give him the ornament in question.

I afterwards had frequent opportunities of remarking that the natives of these islands have the power of distinguishing between pure and counterfeit gold by the smell.
Some years ago the island of Tahiti was under the protection of the English, but at present it is under that of the French.

It had long been a subject of dispute between the two nations, until a friendly understanding was at last come to in November, 1846.