Yet baffled stopped to bay and glare, Far from the torrent's bound; For the weeping fawn still crouching there Shrank not nor fled, but closer pressed, And laid her head on the hunter's breast. THE SNOW-FLAKE. [Caroline Lee Hentz was born in Massachusetts in 1800, died 1856. Her maiden name was Whiting; married 1825 N. M. Hentz, who became a professor in Chapel Hill College, N. C. She afterwards removed to Kentucky, where she became known as a writer. Her first publication was De Lara; or the Moorish Bride, a play, for which she received a prize. Her life was passed in several of the Southern States. Among her books are nearly a dozen stories which were very popular. Perhaps the best known was The Mob Cap. She was also a successful poetess. From her poems we select "The Snow-Flake."] Ye're welcome, ye white and feathery flakes, That fall like the blossoms the summer wind shakes From the bending spray. Oh, say, do ye come With tidings to me from my far-distant home? "Our home is above in the depths of the sky, I know that ye dwell in the kingdoms of air, Oh, foam of the shoreless ocean above! And I've thought as I've seen thy tremulous spray, Soft curling, like mist, on the branches lay, "Say, whose is the harp whose echoing song Breathes wild on the gale that wafts us along? The moon, the flowers, the blossoming tree, Wake the minstrel's lyre; they are brighter than we." The flowers shed their fragrance, the moonbeams their light, Over scenes never veiled by your drapery of white, But the clime where I first saw your downy flakes fall, My own native clime, is far dearer than all. Oh, fair when ye clothed in their wintry mail The elms that o'ershadow my home in the vale! Like warriors they looked as they bowed in the storm With the tossing plume and the towering form. Ye fade, ye melt; I feel the warm breath Of the redolent South o'er the desolate heath; But tell me, ye vanishing pearls, where ye dwell "We roam over mountains and valley and When the dewdrops of summer bespangle the and philosophy at Gottingen, was appointed rector at Otterndorf, and afterwards at Eutin, and went (1805) to Heidelberg, where he assisted in reorganizing the University. Voss was an accomplished translator of Greek and Latin classics. His idyl, "Louise," once so popular, has become obsolete, while his poem, "Der siebzigste Geburtstag," is still found in many German reading books. He died at Heidelberg, March 29th, 1826.] As I sat spinning at the door A youth advanced along the road: His dark eye smiled at me and o'er His cheek a tint of crimson glowed: I then looked up, in thought 'twas done, Good-morrow, gentle maid," he spoke, With soft caress he pressed my hand, So white and round, so soft and fair. Upon my chair he leant his arm, And praised the fineness of the thread, How tenderly "Sweet maid," they said! Meanwhile his handsome countenance Bent downwards and approached my cheek, My head encountered his by chance, While bending the lost thread to seek, I turned to chide with earnest face, Translated by A. BASKERVILLE. CAPTAIN COOK DISCOVERS THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. [Captain James Cook, a famous English navigator and writer, born in 1728, in Yorkshire, killed by VOL. X. the natives at Hawaii, in 1779. Captain Cook was distinguished in the navy as early as 1755, and when the spirit of geographical science revived in England, where it had slept since the age of Elizabeth, he was placed in command of an expedition to the Pacific Ocean. Sir Joseph Banks and other men of science accompanied him, and in April, 1769, he reached Tahiti (then called Otaheite), sailing in search of the great continent supposed to exist, and reaching New Zealand, which had remained a terra incognita since its discovery. He took possession of Botany Bay and Australia in the name of England, encountering many dangers, and returning to London in 1771. Captain Cook's second voyage (1772-74), in command of two vessels, was in the Southern Ocean, and he discovered the island of New Caledonia. His third voyage was undertaken in search of a northwest passage in the Arctic regions, during which he discovered several islands, visited the shores of Alaska, but failed to penetrate Behring's Straits. In this voyage he discovered the Sandwich Islands, named by him, on one of which he met his tragical death. Captain Cook was noted for sagacity, intelligence, and persever ance. The account of his first voyage was drawn up by Dr. Hawkesworth, and the third from his papers by Captain King. From the account of the third voyage we quote the following.] In On the 2d of January, 1779, the ships resumed their course to the northward, and though several evidences occurred of the vicinity of land, none was discovered till the 18th, when an island made its appearance, bearing northeast by east. Soon after, more land was seen, lying towards the north, and entirely detached from the former. The succeeding day was distinguished by the discovery of a third island, in the direction of west-northwest, and as far distant as the eye could reach. steering towards the second island, our voyagers had some doubt whether the land before them was inhabited; but this matter was speedily cleared up, by the putting off of some canoes from the shore, containing from three to six men each. Upon their approach, the English were agreeably surprised to find that they spoke the language of Otaheite, and of the other countries which had lately been visited. These people were at first fearful of going on board; but when, on the 20th, some of them took courage, and ventured to do it, they expressed an astonishment, on entering the ship, which Captain Cook had never experienced in the natives of any place, during the whole course of his several voyages. Their eyes continually flew from object to object; and, by the wildness of their looks and gestures, they fully 226 manifested their entire ignorance with relation to everything they saw, and strongly marked to our navigators, that, till this time, they had never been visited by Europeans, or been acquainted with any of our commodities, excepting iron. Even with respect to iron, it was evident that they had only heard of it, or, at most, had known it in some small quantity, brought to them at a distant period; for all they understood concerning it was, that it was a substance much better adapted to the purposes of cutting, or the boring of holes, than anything their own country produced. The ceremonies on entering the ship, their gestures and motions, and their manner of singing, were similar to those which our voyagers had been accustomed to see in the places lately visited. | far was any obstruction from being met with in watering, that, on the contrary, the inhabitants assisted our men in rolling the casks to and from the pool; and readily performed whatever was required. Affairs thus going on to the captain's satisfaction, he made an excursion into the country, accompanied by Mr. Anderson and Mr. Webber, the former of whom was as well qualified to describe with the pen, as the latter was to represent with his pencil, whatever might occur worthy of observation. In this excursion, the gentlemen, among other objects that called for their attention, found a Morai. On the return of our commander, he had the pleasure of finding that a brisk trade for pigs, fowls, and roots was carrying on with the greatest good order, and without any attempt to cheat or steal, on the part of the natives. The rapacious disposition they at first displayed was entirely cor There was, likewise, a farther circumstance in which these people perfectly resembled the other islanders; and that was, in their endeavoring to steal what-rected by their conviction that it could not ever came within their reach; or rather to take it openly, as what would either not be resented, or not hindered. The English soon convinced them of their mistake, by keeping such a watchful eye over them, that they afterwards were obliged to be less active in appropriating to themselves every object that struck upon their fancy, and excited the desire of possession. Mr. Williamson being sent with the boats to search for water, and attempting to land, the inhabitants came down in such numbers, and were so violent in their endeavors to seize upon the oars, muskets, and, in short, everything they could lay hold of, that he was obliged to fire, by which one man was killed. This unhappy circumstance was not known to Captain Cook till after he had left the island; so that all his measures were directed as if nothing of the kind had happened. When the ships were brought to an anchor, our commander went on shore; and, at the very instant of his doing it, the collected body of the natives all fell flat upon their faces, and continued in that humble posture, till, by expressive signs, he prevailed upon them to rise. Other ceremonies followed; and the next day a trade was set on foot for hogs and potatoes, which the people of the island gave in exchange for nails and pieces of iron, formed into something like chisels. So be exercised with impunity. Among the articles which they brought to barter, the most remarkable was a particular sort of cloak and cap, that might be reckoned elegant, even in countries where dress is eminently the object of attention. The cloak was richly adorned with red and yellow feathers, which were highly beautiful, and the newness and freshness of which added not a little to their beauty. On the 22d, a circumstance occurred, which gave the English room to suspect that the people of the island are eaters of human flesh. Not, however, to rest the belief of the existence of so horrid a practice on the foundation of suspicion only, Captain Cook was anxious to inquire into the truth of the fact, the result of which was its being fully confirmed. An old man, in particular, who was asked upon the subject, answered in the affirmative, and seemed to laugh at the simplicity of such a question. His answer was equally affirmative on a repetition of the inquiry; and he added, that the flesh of men was excellent food, or, as he expressed it, "savoury eating. It is understood that enemies slain in battle are the sole objects of this abominable custom. The island at which our voyagers had now touched was called Atooi by the natives. Near it was another island, named Onecheow, where our commander came to an anchor on the 29th of the month. The inhabitants were found to resemble those of Atooi in their dispositions, manners, and customs; and proofs, too convincing, appeared, that the horrid banquet of human flesh is here as much relished, amidst plenty, as it is in New Zealand. From a desire of benefiting these people, by furnishing them with additional articles of food, the captain left them a ram goat and two ewes, a boar and sow pig of the English breed, and the seeds of melons, pumpkins, and onions. These benevolent presents would have been made to Atooi, the larger island, had not our navigators been unexpectedly driven from it by stress of weather. Though the soil of Oneeheow seemed in general poor, it was observable, that the ground was covered with shrubs and plants, some of which perfumed the air with a more delicious fragrancy, than what Captain Cook had met with at any other of the countries that had been visited by him in this part of the world. It is a curious circumstance, with regard to the islands in the Pacific Ocean which the late European voyages have added to the geography of the globe, that they have generally been found to lie in groups, or clusters. The single intermediate islands, which have as yet been discovered, are few in proportion to the others; though there are probably many more of them that are still unknown, and may serve as steps, by which the several clusters are, in some degree, connected together. Of the Archipelago now first visited, there were five only with which our commander became at this time acquainted. The names of these, as given by the natives, were Woahoo, Atooi, Oneeheow, Oreehoua, and Tahoora. To the whole group Captain Cook gave the appellation of Sandwich Islands, in honor of his great friend and patron, the Earl of Sandwich. THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN COOK. [Written by Captain King from Mr. Samwell's narrative.] Early on the 4th February, 1779, the ships sailed out of Karakakooa Bay, being followed by a large number of canoes. It was our commander's design, before he visited the other islands, to finish the survey of Owyhee, in hopes of meeting with a road better sheltered than the bay he had just left. In case of not succeed. ing in this respect, he purposed to take a view of the southeast part of Mowee, where he was informed that he should find an excellent harbor. The circumstances which brought Captain Cook back to Karakakooa Bay, and the unhappy consequences that followed, I shall give from Mr. Samwell's narrative of his death. This narrative was, in the most obliging manner, communicated to me in manuscript, by Mr. Samwell, with entire liberty to make such use of it as I should judge proper. Upon a perusal of it, its importance struck me in so strong a light, that I wished to have it separately laid before the world. Accordingly, with Mr. Samwell's concurrence, I procured its publication, that, if any objections should be made to it, I might be able to notice them in my own work. As the narrative had continued for more than two years unimpeached and uncontradicted, I esteem myself fully authorized to insert it in this place, as containing the most complete and authentic account of the melancholy catastrophe, which, at Owyhee, befel our illustrious navigator and commander. "On the 6th we were overtaken by a gale of wind; and the next night, the Resolution had the misfortune of springing the head of the foremast, in such a dangerous manner, that Captain Cook was obliged to return to Keragegooah, in order to have it repaired; for we could find no other convenient harbor on the island. The same gale had occasioned much distress among some canoes, that had paid us a visit from the shore. One of them, with two men and a child on board, was picked up by the Resolution, and rescued from destruction: the men, having toiled hard all night, in attempting to reach the land, were so much exhausted, that they could hardly mount the ship's side. When they got upon the quarter-deck, they burst into tears, and seemed much affected with the dangerous situation from which they had escaped; but the little child appeared lively and cheerful. One of the Resolution's boats was also so fortunate, as to save a man and two women, whose canoe had been upset by the violence of the waves. They were brought on board, and, with the others, partook of the kindness and humanity of Captain Cook. "On the morning of Wednesday, the 10th, we were within a few miles of the they were displeased with our return, or harbor; and were soon joined by several jealous of the intention of our second visit. canoes, in which appeared many of our On the contrary, that abundant good naold acquaintances, who seemed to have ture, which had always characterized come to welcome us back. Among them them, seemed still to glow in every bosom, was Coo, aha, a priest; he had brought a and to animate every countenance. small pig, and some cocoa-nuts in his hand, which, after having chanted a few sentences, he presented to Captain Clerke. He then left us, and hastened on board the Resolution, to perform the same friendly ceremony before Captain Cook. Having but light winds all that day, we could not gain the harbor. In the afternoon, a chief of the first rank, and nearly related to Kariopoo, paid us a visit on board the Discovery. His name was Ka, mea, mea: he was dressed in a very rich feathered cloak, which he seemed to have brought for sale, but would part with it for nothing except iron daggers. These, the chiefs, some time before our departure, had preferred to every other article; for, having received a plentiful supply of hatchets and other tools, they began to collect a store of warlike instruments. Kameamea procured nine daggers for his cloak; and, being pleased with his reception, he and his attendants slept on board that night. "The next day, February the 12th, the ships were put under a taboo by the chiefs; a solemnity, it seems, that was requisite to be observed, before Kariopoo, the king, paid his first visit to Captain Cook, after his return. He waited upon him the same day, on board the Resolution, attended by a large train, some of which bore the presents designed for Captain Cook; who received him in his usually friendly manner, and gave him several articles in return. This amicable ceremony being settled, the taboo was dissolved: matters went on in the usual train; and the next day, February the 13th, we were visited by the natives in great numbers the Resolution's mast was landed, and the astronomical observatories erected on their former situation. I landed, with another gentleman, at the town of Kavaroah, where we found a great number of canoes, just arrived from different parts of the island, and the Indians busy in constructing temporary huts on the beach, for their residence during the stay of the ships. On our return on board the Discovery, we learned, that an Indian had been detected in stealing the armorer's tongs, from the forge, for which he received a pretty severe flogging, and was sent out of the ship. Notwithstanding the example made of this man, in the afternoon, another had the audacity to snatch the tongs and chisel from the same place, with which he jumped overboard, and swam for the shore. The master and the midshipman were instantly dispatched after him, in the small cutter. The In "In the morning of the 11th of February, the ships anchored again in Keragegooah bay, and preparation was immediately made for landing the Resolution's foremast. We were visited but by few of the Indians, because there were but few in the bay. On our departure, those belonging to other parts had repaired to their several habitations, and were again to collect from various quarters, before we could expect to be surrounded by such multitudes as he had once seen in that harbor. In the afternoon, I walked about a mile into the country to visit an Indian friend, who had, a few days before, comedian, seeing himself pursued, made for a near twenty miles, in a small canoe, to see me, while the ship lay becalmed. As the canoe had not left us long before a gale of wind came on, I was alarmed for the consequences: however, I had the pleasure to find that my friend had escaped unhurt, though not without some difficulties. I take notice of this short excursion, merely because it afforded me an opportunity of observing, that there appeared no change in the disposition or behavior of the inhabitants. I saw nothing that could induce me to think, that canoe; his countrymen took him on board, and paddled as swift as they could towards the shore; we fired several muskets at them, but to no effect, for they soon got out of reach of our shot. Pareah, one of the chiefs, who was at that time on board the Discovery, understanding what had happened, immediately went ashore, promising to bring back the stolen goods. Our boat was so far distanced, in chasing the canoe, which had taken the thief on board, that he had time to make his escape into the country. Captain Cook |