294 FIJI ISLANDS. 



hands and the breast as the best eating,* the Fijians especially 

 preferred the flesh of the arm above the elbow, and that of the 

 thigh. t Not more than five-and-twenty years ago, White resi- 

 dents are said to have joined the natives in their cannibal feasts 

 at Ovalau, Fiji. J 



Whilst we were at Fiji, the burning question with the settlers 

 was whether the group was to be annexed by Great Britain or 

 not. The planters and all the store-keepers were eagerly 

 hoping for the annexation, and many had staked their fortunes 

 on the event. The missionaries, on the other hand, were 

 praying in the best interests of the natives, as they viewed 

 them, that the place might remain as it was. The result is 

 well known ; the Fijis are now British. Thackombau and his 

 suite were taken to Sydney for a trip in a man-of-war, and they 

 returned bringing the measles with them, by which about one 

 third of the native population was at once swept off. 



* E. Dieffenbach, " Travels in New Zealand," Vol. II., p. 129. London, 

 J. Murray, 1843. 



f C. Wilkes, "Narrative of U.S. Exploring Expedition," Vol. V., p. lOi. 

 New York, 1856. 



J J. D'Ewes, "China, Australia, and the Pacific Islands." p. 151. 

 London, 1857. 



