MORE ABOUT THE FIJIAN OF TO-DAY. 101 



the principal centres they understand it tolerably. If a European 

 has acquired sufficient knowledge to follow their ordinary con- 

 versation, they have a trick of defeating him in his accomplish- 

 ment by changing their dialects or slang phrases to others 

 which he cannot understand. Gratitude expressed by words 

 is unknown to them, and they have no equivalent for our 

 ' thank you.' Ordinarily good-natured, they are as a rule kind 

 to each other, but trivial tribal jealousies, as in Scotland and 

 Ireland, militate against their better nature. As to Fijian 

 truthfulness in general, it is out of my power to give a fair 

 opinion, all my friends varied so much. I was, however, 

 credibly informed that a hiisi, or commoner, will as a rule give 

 evidence in court just as his chief wishes. If the roko saw a 

 fact and says so, the kaisi saw it ; if the roko heard a thing and 

 says so, the kaisi heard it and will swear to it. I should hesi- 

 tate, however, before describing the Fijians as in the main 

 deliberately untruthful. In the Polynesian mind loyalty to the 

 chief is virtue yar excellence. The influence of the rokos may 

 perhaps decline, but the action of the British authorities has 

 been very wisely adverse to any too sudden changes, especially 

 when due allowance has to be made for the innate conservatism 

 of the Fijians. This insular Toryism is another of their pecu- 

 liarities, and it is in no way more marked than in their punctilious 

 observance of etiquette of all sorts. A mere bull or sub-chief 

 rarely goes unattended by his spearmen and advanced guard. 

 If you enter a native house or discussion forum, the conversa- 

 tion is directly stopped, and the junior member rises and in the 

 most polite terms acquaints you of the subject under debate, so 

 that you may, if willing, join in. 



Hospitality is a virtue of the first-class, and the papalagi, or 

 white man, is generally singled out for its exercise. Instea d 

 of the port, sherry, or spirits offered by the white man, the 



