nd that often you
were their protector, so be welcome."

After this first recognition they presented us some milk and some
kidney potatoes, and during our repast the old man conversed freely
with me.

"Several years ago," said he to me, "at a period I cannot recollect,
some men came to live in Tapuzi. The peace and safety they enjoyed
made others imitate their example, who sought like themselves to avoid
the punishment of some faults they had committed. We soon saw fathers
of families, with their wives and children flock hither; this was
the foundation of the small government that you see. Now here almost
all is in common; some fields of kidney potatoes or Indian corn, and
hunting, suffice for us; he who possesses anything gives to him who has
nothing. Almost all our clothing is knitted and woven by our wives;
the abaca, or vegetable silk, from the forest supplies us the thread
that is necessary; we do not know what money is, we do not require
any. Here there is no ambition; each one is certain of not suffering
from hunger. From time to time strangers come to visit us. If they
are willing to submit to our laws, they remain with us; they have a
fortnight of probation to go through before they decide. Our laws
are lenient and indulgent. We have not forgotten the religion of
our forefathers, and God no doubt will forgive me my first faults,
on account of my efforts for so many years to promote his worship,
and the well-being of my equals."

"But," said I to him, "who is your chief, who are your judges and
priests?"

"It is I," said he, "who fulfil all those functions. Formerly they
lived like savages here. I was young, robust, and devoted to all my
brothers. Their chief had just expired: I was chosen to replace him. I
then took care to do nothing but what was just, and conducive to the
happiness of those who confided in me. Until then they had devoted
but little attention to religion: I wished to put my people in mind
that they were born Christians. I appointed one hour every Sunday
for us to pray together, and I have invested myself with all the
attributes of a minister of the Gospel. I celebrate the marriages, I
pour water upon the foreheads of the infants, and I offer consolations
to the dying. In my youth, I was a chorister; I remembered the church
ceremonies; and if I do not actually possess the necessary attributes
for the functions I have given myself, I practise them with faith and
love. This is the reason I