194 



A VOYAGE TO 



-v 



1777- We regretted much, that our redrained fituation eave \i3 



April. " 



— ,/ ' fo little opportunity of making obfervations on the country. 



For, during the whole day, we were fcldom a hundred 

 yards from the place where we were introduced to the 

 Chiefs on landing; and, confequently, were confined to the 

 furrounding objects. The firfl: thing that prefented itfelF, 

 worthy of our notice, was the number of people; which muft 

 have been, at leaft, two thoufand. For thofe who welcomed 

 us on the fliore, bore no proportion to the multitude we 

 found amongft the trees, on proceeding a little way up. 



We could alfo obferve, that, except a few, thofe we had 

 hitherto feen on board, were of the lower clafs. For a great 

 number of thofe we now met with, had a fuperior dignity in 

 their air, and were of a much whiter caft. In general, they 

 had the hair tied on the crown of the head, long, black, 

 and of a moft luxuriant growth. Many of the young men 

 were perfe<5l models in fliape, of a complexion as delicate 

 as that of the women, and, to appearance, of a difpofuion 

 as amiable. Others, who were more advanced in years, 

 were corpulent ; and all had a remarkable fmoothnefs of 

 the fkin. Their general drefs was a piece of clotli, or mat, 

 wrapped about the waift, and covering the parts which mo- 

 deily conceals. But fome had pieces of mats, moft curi- 

 ouily varied with black and white, made into a fort of 

 jacket without lleeves ; and others wore conical caps of co- 

 coa-nut core, neatly interwoven with fraall beads, made of a 

 fheliy fubftance. Their ears were pierced ; and in them 

 they hung bits of the membraneous part of fome plant, or 

 iluck there an odoriferous flower, which feemed to be a 

 fpecies o^ gardenia. Some, who were of a fuperior clafs, and 

 alfo the Chiefs, had two little balls, with a common bafe,, 



made 



