72 ETHNOGRAPHY. 



Ualau, Liitke and Martens at all the western islands, O'Connell and 

 every other visiter at Banabe, Paulding at the Mulgrave Group, and 

 our Expedition at Makin, have had occasion to remark the sweetness 

 of temper and the absence of any harsh and violent feelings, which 

 characterize the inhabitants. This is especially deserving of note, 

 inasmuch as there is no quality more rare, or about the existence of 

 which scepticism is more justifiable, than that of real benevolence 

 among savages. In this case, however, the strong and decided 

 testimony of so many witnesses can leave no doubt that the natives 

 of the Caroline Islands are, for the most part, a kind, amiable, and 

 gentle race. 



There are, however, as before remarked, some exceptions to be 

 made in any general description of this people. This kindness of 

 heart is less apparent in the natives of those small isolated coral 

 islands, where the supply of food is scanty, and where the frequent 

 pressure of actual want sometimes produces in the people a hard and 

 unfeeling disposition. Those tribes, too, among whom a partial 

 intermixture of the Melanesian race shows itself in the features and 

 complexion, will also be found to partake, more or less, of the ferocity 

 natural to that race. 



They are also, like the Polynesians, a social and an enterprising 

 people. A constant communication is kept up among the various 

 groups and islands. They are excellent navigators, governing their 

 courses by the stars with great accuracy. 



As might be expected, wars are by no means frequent among 

 them. Liitke informs us that on Ualau, and all the coral islands to 

 the west of it, a constant peace prevails. On some of the high 

 islands, where the population is divided into several tribes, wars 

 occasionally occur. They are, however, seldom very destructive, 

 and in all cases it is esteemed necessary for a party which is about 

 to attack another, to send word, by a herald, of their intention, in 

 order that their opponents may be prepared to meet them. This, we 

 are assured, is the case in Banabe, Hogoleu, and the Pelew Islands. 



It is difficult to say whether parental affection is strongly developed 

 in these natives or not. Some circumstances, which will be hereafter 

 mentioned, would lead to an unfavourable conclusion. But what is 

 especially remarkable is the unusual consideration which is awarded 

 to the female sex. The women, in all the groups, do comparatively 

 little labour, and that only of the lightest kind. Ill treatment of a 

 wife by her husband is almost unknown, partly from their naturally 



