258 CHAPTER XIX. The missionaries and Dr. Lang—Results of missionary labour— Vindication of the missionaries—Land-sharks—Influence of com merce—Return to the Bay—Rev. Mr. Marsden. My visit to Waimate completely dispelled the idea which I had formed, that the surface of New Zealand is too broken and rugged for agriculture. From the summit of Puki Roa I had surveyed a space comprising at least one hundred thousand acres, sufficiently level for the farmer’s purposes, and at the same time sufficiently undu lating to prevent the stagnation of water upon his fields. I have also pleasure in stating that I took my departure with a higher opinion regarding the missionaries and their usefulness than I had previously entertained ; an opinion shared, I believe, by every candid and intelligent observer in New Zealand. From my hospitable enter tainer, Mr. Taylor, I had derived much information, of a kind which could only be communicated by a well edu cated man, accustomed to observe the varied aspects of nature, and view the works of the great Architect of the universe with the eye of a philosopher and a Christian. With the duties of a missionary, Mr. Taylor combined the congenial pursuits of science, which enable its votaries, in the beautiful language of Wordsworth, to “ Look on nature with a humble heart, Self questioned where they do not understand, And with a superstitious eye of love.”