THE SANDWICH ISLANDS. 245 



whom a part of their traditionary history is proba- 

 bly lost. These ancient traditions are very dif- 

 ferently related. There was a flood which covered 

 every thing, and only the summit of Mouna Roa 

 rose above the waves. The people saved them- 

 selves upon it. Previous to this flood there had 

 been another revolution, by which the earth was 

 darkened for forty days. Formerly strangers, 

 whose names are mentioned, arrived in a boat at 

 the Sandwich islands. M. Marin had heard a 

 tradition at Otaheite, according to which mariners 

 of this island, who had been lost at sea, were the 

 very same who had been thrown upon the Sand- 

 wich islands. 



The relations of social order which are not 

 founded on written rights and laws, but upon faith 

 and custom, which are more powerful than force, 

 may be considered and interpreted in different 

 ways. M. Marin assumes four casts in Owhyee. 

 The princes, the nobility, the middling class 

 (who constitute the great majority of the people) 

 and the populace, a despised class, which is not 

 numerous. Formerly every white was considered 

 as equal to the nobility, now his rank depends 

 upon his character. 



Tlie word Hieriy jeri, erih, ariki, or harihi 

 (chief), is best to be translated by lord. The 

 king is Hierl ei Moku, the Lord of the Island or 

 Islands. Every powerful prince or chief is Uteri 

 Nii€j Great Lord, and by this title Tamaahmaah, 



R 3 



