1840.J population. 345 



nature, that " the darkest hour is that which just precedes 

 the dawn." At least, if they accomplish nothing more, they 

 may produce an impression on the rising generation, who are 

 willingly placed under their instruction, that will be lasting 

 and beneficial in its effects. 



(6.) In the whole Feejee Group, there are about one hun- 

 dred and fifty thousand inhabitants. Vanua-levui and Viti- 

 levui contain about forty thousand each, Ovolau eight thou- 

 sand, Kantavu fifteen thousand, Vuna seven thousand, and 

 Nairai seven thousand. The population is divided into five 

 classes — the kings, chiefs, warriors, landholders {mantaniva- 

 nii'd), and common people, or slaves, called kai-sis. The kai-sis 

 are by far the most numerous class, but they are much op- 

 pressed by their superiors, and sometimes rise in rebellion : 

 this class, too, in. appearance and character, resemble the 

 Papuan, while the others are more like the Malay. 



There are a number of kings in the group, and there are 

 several on the two principal islands. They are nominally in- 

 dependent of each other, but many of them pay tribute to 

 their brother sovereigns. Ambauis the great centre of power, 

 and the king of that district is generally feared and respected 

 throughout the group. The political power is wielded mainly 

 by the kings and chiefs, who are complete despots so far as 

 they can be, and the warriors and landholders are more or less 

 under their control. As in many other countries more ad- 

 vanced in civilization, the influence of the native priests is 

 exerted to sustain the government, and prevent the spread of 

 disaffection among the lower classes. 



(7.) The males, among the common people, rarely wear 

 any other article of clothing except the maro. The chiefs 

 have the ends of the maro lengthened before and behind, so 

 as to nearly touch the ground, when it is called seavo. Some- 

 times the seavo is fifty yards long, and on state occasions is 

 upheld by a train-bearer. Pareus, similar to those of the 

 Samoans, are also occasionally worn by the chiefs ; but their 

 principal distinguishing mark, so far as regards dress, is the 



turban, or sala, which is made of the finest tapa, of gauze- 



1.5* 



