ABSTRACT
THE Roman mission had gained a footing upon the islands, and was determined not to be dislodged. There were now three parties at work, and amongst them the natives fared ill. There was the government, which, inspired by the American independent missionaries, carried religious restrictions to a Puritanical extreme, enforcing them by punishments, so that innocent amusements oeased. Kaahumanu was much influenced by Mr. Bingham, the principal member of the mission, a sincere and disinterested man, possessing' talent and energy, but injudicious in not considering the earthen vessels into which he was zealously pouring heavenly treasure. No punishment was considered by him and the associated government too great for the most venial offence. Riding on Sunday, even for foreigners, was forbidden; the healthy exercise of swimming, in which the people ever delighted, was actually abandoned; and police constables entered private houses, and, like the intruders so touchingly described by Mr. Lillyvick, without any' with your leave' or 'by your leave,' walked away with the fermented liquids that might be on table.
