1839. J THE SAMOAN WOMEN. 199 



parent and child, in the main sacredly regarded. All the 

 hard work, even that of cooking, is performed by the men, 

 while their wives and daughters are engaged in beating tapa. 

 or some other light employment. The women are reserved 

 in their manners, and particularly cautious in their inter- 

 course with foreigners : though chastity is a rare virtue in 

 the Pacific, where they have not been corrupted by the 

 whites, they possess a great deal of that native modesty, 

 which, like the element of fire, can never change its nature, 



" But burns as brightly in a gipsy camp, 

 As in a palace hall." 



Adultery is not common, even among the " devil's men ;" 

 and wherever the missionary influence has extended, it is 

 regarded as a high offence, and is severely punished. Polyg- 

 amy is still practiced to some extent, but it is nearly abol- 

 ished ; and a great many have been forced to yield to public 

 opinion on this subject, who, wedded to ancient customs, look 

 back to the days when that abomination was generally toler- 

 ated, with regret. The husband may repudiate his wife, 

 however, if he is so inclined ; but the wife cannot separate 

 herself from her husband without his consent. 



The Samoans are thrifty and industrious, though, as their 

 wants are so easily supplied, there is little inducement to 

 labor. They are cunning and inquisitive, yet generally 

 honest and well-behaved. On public occasions, in the church 

 or council-house, they are sedate in manner, but they have 

 kind and social dispositions, and are extremely fond of visit- 

 ing. They can conduct themselves with great propriety, 

 whenever it is necessary, for. they are not deficient in self- 

 respect ; but their hearts are naturally as light as the soft 

 atmosphere that rests over their verdant hills and lovely 

 valleys. They are fond of receiving presents, and often lib- 

 eral in tendering them, in return, though not offonded when 

 they are declined. Hospitality is one of their chief virtues ; 

 still they always expect pay for any services they may ren- 

 der, not so much out of selfishness, as • because they have 



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