104 ETHNOGRAPHY. 



a mixture of Polynesian words, very much corrupted, with those of 

 some other language, unlike any which has been elsewhere found. 

 They show, also, in some of their usages, and some words of their 

 language, traces of communication with their Feejeean neighbours to 

 the south. 



During our brief stay at Tongatabu, in April of 1840, several 

 natives of Rotuma came on board our vessel, and I took that oppor- 

 tunity to obtain the vocabulary which is given in another place. 

 The one to whom I was principally indebted was an elderly man, by 

 name, Tui-Rotuma,* a petty chief, who had been two voyages in a 

 whaler, and had thus acquired some knowledge of English. With 

 him was a young chief of high rank, by name. Tokaniua, to whom 

 the other seemed to act as guardian. They had left their island 

 about two years before, with several attendants, in a whale-ship, for 

 the purpose of visiting the Friendly Islands, and seeing something of 

 the world. Unfortunately, since their arrival, Tui-Rotuma had be- 

 come blind, and war having broken out on Tonga, between the 

 Christian and heathen parties, their situation had become uncom- 

 fortable. The old councillor, in particular, was desirous of getting 

 away, giving as his reason, that the young chief, his companion, 

 would one day be king, and that therefore it would not be well for 

 him to be at Tonga during the civil dissensions ; he would, as Tui- 

 Rotuma expressed it, " see too much fight." 



The Rotumans resemble the Polynesians in form and complexion, 

 but their features have more of the European cast. They have large 

 noses, wide and prominent cheek-bones, full eyes, and considerable 

 beard. They are tattooed in large masses over the middle of the 

 body, from the navel nearly to the knee ; on the breast and arms they 

 have light marks, varying somewhat in shape, but generally like a 

 row of arrow-heads. 



The expression of their countenances, which is mild, intelligent, 

 and prepossessing, corresponds with their character, which is superior 

 in many respects to that of the Polynesians. Like the Caroline 

 islanders, they are good-natured, confiding, and hospitable. No 

 instance, I believe, of any difficulty between them and their foreign 

 visitors has ever occurred. They are distinguished, moreover, for 

 their forethought and consideration. Their island, having a popula- 



* This name, in the Tonga dialect, signifies " Lord of Rotuma ;" it had, however, no 

 such meaning in the language of this island, but was simply an appellative. 



