1778. THE PACIFIC OCEAN". 285 



These are generally slow and solemn ; but the music 

 is not of that confined sort found amongst many rude 

 nations ; for the variations are very numerous and ex- 

 pressive, and the cadence or melody powerfully sooth- 

 ing. Besides their full concerts, sonnets of the same 

 grave cast were frequently sung by single performers, 

 who keep time by striking the hand against the thigh. 

 However, the music was sometimes varied, from its 

 predominant solemnity of air ; and there were in- 

 stances of stanzas being sung in a more gay and lively 

 strain, and even with a degree of humour. 



The only instruments of music (if such they may 

 be called) which I saw amongst them, were a rattle ; 

 and a small whistle, about an inch long, incapable of 

 any variation, from having but one hole. They use 

 the rattle when they sing ; but upon what occasions 

 they use the whistle, I know not, unless it be when 

 they dress themselves like particular animals, and en- 

 deavour to imitate their howl or cry. I once saw 

 one of them dressed in a wolf 's skin, with the head 

 over his own, and imitating that animal, by making 

 a squeaking noise with one of these whistles, which 

 he had in his mouth. The rattles are, for the most 

 part, made in the shape of a bird, with a few pebbles 

 in the belly; and the tail is the handle. They have 

 others, however, that bear rather more resemblance 

 to a child's rattle. 



In trafficking with us, some of them would betray 

 a knavish disposition, and carry off our goods without 

 making any return. But in general, it was otherwise ; 

 and we had abundant reason to commend the fairness 

 of their conduct. However, their eagerness to pos- 

 sess iron and brass, and, indeed, any kind of metal, 

 was so great, that few of them could resist the tempt- 

 ation to steal it, whenever an opportunity offered. 

 The inhabitants of the South Sea Islands, as appears 

 from a variety of instances in the course of this 

 voyage, rather than be idle, would steal any thing that 

 they could lay their hands upon, without ever con- 



