MICRONESIA. .73 



good disposition, but chiefly because he would be certain to receive a 

 severe punishment either from her relatives, or from the other women 

 of the neighbourhood. This fact is curious enough, and it appears to 

 be universal. By all accounts, this sex, in the Caroline Islands, 

 enjoys a perfect equality in public estimation with the other. 



They are far from being a licentious people. The modest deport- 

 ment of the women, and the sacredness of the marriage tie, have 

 been remarked by all voyagers, who have contrasted it with the 

 contrary trait, so conspicuous in the natives of Polynesia. 



Their respect for rank is remarkable, and the more so as it does not 

 seem to be founded upon any superstitious observance, like that of 

 the tabu. Not only do the chiefs enjoy an unquestioned supremacy, 

 but the distinctions between the different classes of population, of 

 which there are usually two or more, is maintained with a rigidness 

 which reminds one of the institution of caste. 



They seem to be an honest people. Among themselves, they are 

 said to be decidedly so. They sometimes, however, steal from vessels, 

 in which case, it would appear that the greatness of the tempta- 

 tion overcomes their better feelings. Their word, it is said, may 

 generally be relied upon. 



They are very intelligent. The same observation has been made 

 concerning the natives of Polynesia, but a distinction is observable 

 between the two in this respect. The latter are quick in their per- 

 ceptions, ingenious, and prompt in acquiring a new art. The Caro- 

 line islanders, on the other hand, are a considerate and reflecting 

 people, acute in reasoning, and desirous of understanding the meaning 

 of any novel appearance. 



It will be seen that the character here given is little more than a 

 catalogue of good qualities. Such as it is, however, it is an exact 

 statement of the impressions derived from personal observation, as 

 well as from the accounts of others. There can be no doubt that 

 these natives are a finely endowed race, in whom the moral feelings 

 and the intellect generally predominate over the more violent pas- 

 sions. That there are occasional exceptions, has been before re- 

 marked, and some of them will be hereafter noticed. 



The difference of character in the three Oceanic races is most 

 clearly displayed in the reception which they have given to their 

 earliest civilized visitors. With the black tribes, a strong disposition 

 has generally been evinced to get rid of the strangers as soon as 

 possible, and to avoid communication with them. The Polynesian 



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