8 INTRODUCTION 



amongst them one often feels, as doubtless they do themselves, 

 could they formulate their sensations : 



"... Why should we toil alone, 

 We only toil who are the first of things, 

 And make perpetual moan, 

 Still from one sorrow to another thrown : 



' There is no joy but calm ! ' 



Why should we only toil, the roof and crown of things ? " 



These are one's thoughts, while captivated by the charm of the 

 islands, and if feelings change when analysed in more virile 

 countries, the transformation of ideas only goes to show how 

 relative to circumstances are such things as industry and idleness. 

 The foregoing are a few prosaic items about a form of life which, 

 although when indulged in too long, it perhaps causes now and 

 again a desire for the amenities of civilisation and a shirt-front, 

 yet when it is over, always leaves a longing for further experi- 

 ences whenever one is haunted by thoughts of the palms, the 

 sunlight, and the sea ; wanderings in the jungle ; strange birds, 

 animals, and vegetation, and pleasant memories of easy-going 

 islanders. 



