1^0 COOK S VOYAGE TO MARCH, 



extreme levity and fickleness of the Otaheiteans, and 

 the distant gravity and reserve of the inhabitants of 

 the Friendly Islands. They appear to live in the 

 utmost harmony and friendship with one another. 

 The women, who had children, were remarkable for 

 their tender and constant attention to them ; and the 

 men would often lend their assistance in those 

 domestic offices, with a willingness that does credit to 

 their feelings. 



It must, however, be observed, that they fall very 

 short of the other islanders, in that best test of civili- 

 zation, the respect paid to the women. Here they 

 are not only deprived of the privilege of eating with 

 the men, but the best sorts of food are tabooed, or 

 forbidden them. They are not allowed to eat pork, 

 turtle, several kinds of fish, and some species of the 

 plantains; and we were told that a poor girl got a 

 terrible beating, for having eaten, on board our ship, 

 one of these interdicted articles. In their domestic 

 life, they appear to live almost entirely by themselves, 

 and though we did not observe any instances of per- 

 sonal ill-treatment, yet it was evident they had little 

 regard or attention paid them. 



The great hospitality and kindness with which we 

 were received by them, have been already frequently 

 remarked ; and indeed they make the principal part 

 of our transactions with them. Whenever we came 

 on shore, there was a constant struggle who should 

 be most forward in making us little presents, bringing 

 refreshments, or showing some other mark of their 

 respect. The whole people never failed of receiving 

 us with tears of joy ; seemed highly gratified with 

 being allowed to touch us, and were constantly mak- 

 ing comparisons between themselves and us, with the 

 strongest marks of humility. The young women were 

 not less kind and engaging, and, till they found, not- 

 withstanding our utmost endeavours to prevent it, 

 that they had reason to repent of our acquaintance, 

 attached themselves to us without the least reserve. 



