176 CHARACTER OP THE PEOPLE. [1839 



winds. The heat is not often really oppressive, as there is a 

 constant succession of light sea and land breezes, but it soon 

 produces, if one is disposed to yield to its seductions, a soft 

 dreamy languor and lassitude that cannot easily be resisted. 

 A considerable variety of character is presented here. Gen- 

 erally, the people are light-hearted, merry, frank, honest and 

 well-behaved, kind and affable in disposition. Exceptions 

 are not uncommon. Some are deceitful and thievish, and 

 addicted to the use of ardent spirits, though drunkenness 

 and rioting are not common save when provoked or incited 

 by the whites. Chastity is not the chief virtue of the female 

 sex, but licentiousness is not near as prevalent as in former 

 years. 



All are excitable, fond of music, dancing, social enjoyments 

 and amusements, of which the missionaries, perhaps un- 

 wisely, have endeavored, in some respects, to deprive them. 

 Their fondness for music is natural, and they frequently as- 

 semble in parties to sing in the open air in the evening. 

 Their voices have a slight nasal twang, but chord unusually 

 in harmony. They will quickly imitate a new tune, and 

 readily adapt symphonious parts to it. The native music is 

 now rarely heard, and its place is supplied by the songs 

 which they have learned from the sailors, and the familiar 

 tunes of " God save the King," " Cambridge," and " Old 

 Hundred." 



They are attentive at worship — the elderly people particu- 

 larly so — and pay due respect to the authority of the law. 

 Of pride they have not much to boast ; and the highest min- 

 isters of state, and the officers of the queen's body-guard, 

 may often be seen swimming out to a vessel newly arrived, 

 with nothing on but the maro, to solicit the honor of washing 

 clothes. From the ease of procuring food, clothing, and lodg- 

 ings, they are as improvident as they are indolent, though 

 there are many who keep more than one eye on the main 

 chance. Both men and women arrive at maturity at an 

 early age ; the latter look older at thirteen than American 

 females at twenty-three. Their mode of salutation is very 



