PITCAIRN ISLAND 23 



utmost licence. The weak and the old were killed off, for every one must be young and 

 vigorous. There was only one redeeming feature of their mission; they gave recitations and 

 dramatic performances, and thus history and tradition were kept alive. 



In Tahiti and others of the Society Islands it is not customary to purchase wives; but 

 there is, or perhaps we should say there was, a very curious marriage ceremony. The younger 

 generation have mostly abolished, under the good influence of missionary teaching, the old 

 barbaric practices. The particular custom in question refers to young betrothed girls, and 

 resembles that of Xew Ireland (Bismarck Archipelago, sec page 32). As she grows up the little 

 maid is carefully guarded from contact with the outer world, and this is effected by keeping 

 her railed up on a high platform in the home. Food is brought, and nearly everything is 

 done for her. Only very occasionally is she allowed to go out, and then she must be accompanied 

 by one of her parents. On the wedding day an altar is set up in the house, on which are 

 displayed the relics of her ancestors their weapons, skulls, and bones. The presents given to 

 the bride are usually pieces of white cloth. If bride and bridegroom are related to the 

 reigning family, the party repair to the temple of two chief idols of the islands, in order 

 to procure their blessing. This they receive after pledging their troth, and prayers are 

 offered up for them. Then the relatives spread out a piece of white cloth on the floor; the 

 bride and bridegroom step on to it, and take each other by the hand. Sometimes the skulls 

 of ancestors are brought out, no doubt in order to represent their spirits, with the idea that 

 they should take part in such an important family affair. The bride's relatives then take a 

 piece of sugar-cane, wrap it up in the branch of a certain sacred tree, and, after placing it on 

 the head of the bridegroom, lay it down between the now wedded pair, who are still holding 

 each other's hands. The relatives on both sides consider that the two families are now for 

 ever united. Finally, another cloth is produced, and thrown over the bride and bridegroom by 

 the relatives. 



PITCAIRN ISLAND. 



IT is impossible in the space allotted to Polynesia to speak of all the groups of islands 

 included under that term: but we may briefly allude to Pitcairn Island, situated in the Low 





PIMolijH. W. BaulMte] Jli/u, Haintil. 



A FISHERMAN, HAWAII. 



