PROGRESSIVE CIVILIZATION. 219 



tators, who pronounce their opinions very volu- 

 bly at the close of every game. The parties 

 themselves are extremely animated, and the 

 affair seldom terminates without a quarrel. 

 Many other games are also in favour ; and 

 through the prevalence of a custom which can- 

 not be observed without regret, this once indus- 

 trious and flourishing people are rapidly ac- 

 quiring confirmed habits of idleness and dissi- 

 pation. A great part of the well cultivated 

 tarro-fields, which formerly surrounded Hana- 

 ruro, now lie waste. On the great market- 

 place, horse and foot races are proceeding all 

 day long, and give occasion to extensive gam- 

 bling. The Wahuaners have as great a pas- 

 sion for horse-racing, as the Malays for cock- 

 fighting, and without hesitation venture their 

 whole stock of wealth on a race. The pur- 

 chase of a horse is, indeed, the great object of 

 their ambition ; and little attention having hi- 

 therto been directed to the breeding of these 

 animals, they are imported from California, at 

 an expense of from two to three, or even five 

 hundred piastres ; so that many a Wahuaner is 

 obliged to hoard his whole earnings for years 

 L 2 



