1840.] CHARACTER. 315 



hair is straight and fine, and naturally of a dark color, but the 

 frequent use of lime-water and lime turns it red ; yet they have 

 black, expressive eyes ; their oval faces are just .tinged with 

 olive ; their busts and shoulders are well developed, their forms 

 rounded and full, but not gross, and their limbs neatly turned. 

 These are certainly attractive charms, and when united to an 

 intelligent expression of countenance, gavety, but not frivolity 

 of heart, frank and easy manners, and a true inbred modesty, 

 almost always proof against temptation, surely entitle their 

 possessors to an enviable distinction. 



Cleanliness is characteristic of both sexes. The habit of 

 frequent bathing is early acquired, and not often neglected. 

 They are a cheerful and light-hearted people ; fond of music, 

 dancing, and other amusements ; docile ; ingenious ; apt at 

 imitation; and great chafferers in making bargains. Gen- 

 erally speaking, they are virtuous and industrious ; but, though 

 not yielding so much as might be expected to the enervating 

 influences of the climate, they cannot resist the temptations 

 placed before them by the whites or the neighboring islanders. 

 They are usually quite happy in their domestic relations; 

 the attachment between husband and wife is strong, and the 

 " olive branches" that twine themselves about their hearts, 

 serve to knit them more firmly together, and render the tie 

 that binds them to each other nearer, dearer, and more indis- 

 soluble. 



A warlike disposition does not appear to have been origi- 

 nally characteristic of the Tongese, but they have imbibed it 

 in their intercourse with the natives of the Feejee Group, and 

 with it, have learned to be crafty, cunning, and treacherous. 

 They are courageous, however, and are well acquainted with 

 the use of fire arms. Muskets are quite plenty among them. 

 Their other principal offensive weapons are clubs and spears, 

 commonly made of the casuarina, or iron-wood. 



Many of the natives possess European articles of dress, of 

 which they are exceedingly proud, yet it is not usual for 

 either sex to wear anything but the siapo, a sort of short 

 petticoat made of tapa, and descending from the waist half- 



