514 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 



and Von Popp, amongst others, remarks that if we now 

 look in vain for the gigantic race described by Captain 

 Cook, their deterioration is due, partly at least, to civilisa- 

 tion and brandy ; notwithstanding which the natives of 

 Tahiti are still a fine, well-proportioned people, tall and 

 robust, with dark-brown complexion, broad nose, slightly 

 protruding lips, beautiful teeth, black and mostly curling 

 hair, but with slightly developed beard. With Chris- 

 tianity some restraint has been introduced amongst the 

 islanders, who formerly indulged in unbridled licentious- 

 ness. At present we must visit the remoter villages to 

 see, in their original forms, the seductive dances of the 

 native women, gaily decked with flowers. But all this 

 will soon vanish, with the people themselves, who, like 

 the Sandwich Islanders, are decreasing with alarming 

 rapidity. The idyllic scenes of former days have already 

 mostly disappeared under the influence of the missions ; 

 the short and picturesque national garb has been length- 

 ened and rendered unsightly ; the Sunday songs and 

 dances have been prohibited ; and to harsh treatment, 

 intemperance, and epidemics thousands have fallen 

 victims. 



One chief cause, probably, of the decreasing numbers 

 of these people is the prevalence of habits of intoxication, 

 in which they indulge as a substitute for the dance and 

 song and varied amusements so injudiciously forbidden 

 by the missionaries. A recent French traveller, M. Jules 

 Garnier, informs us that the Tahitians now seek the mere 

 sensual pleasure of intoxication, unenHvened by the social 

 enjoyments of their ancient festivals. Most fatal gift of 

 all, they have been taught to ferment the juice of the 

 orange, so abundant and delicious in their island home, 

 and thus produce a liquor with which to obtain the 

 pleasures and the penalties of intoxication, which men, 



