230 GENERAL ACCOUNT OF NEW ZEALAND CHAP, x 



The men are of the size of the larger Europeans, stout, 

 clean-limbed, and active, fleshy, but never fat, as the lazy 

 inhabitants of the South Sea Isles, vigorous, nimble, and at 

 the same time clever in all their exercises. I have seen 

 fifteen paddles of a side in one of their canoes move with 

 immensely quick strokes, and at the same time as much 

 justness as if the rowers were animated by one soul, not 

 the fraction of a second could be observed between the 

 dipping and raising any two of them, the canoe all the 

 while moving with incredible swiftness. To see them dance 

 their war dance was an amusement which never failed to 

 please every spectator. So much strength, firmness, and 

 agility did they show in their motions, and at the same time 

 such excellent time did they keep, that I have often heard 

 above a hundred paddles struck against the sides of their boats, 

 as directed by their singing, without a mistake being ever 

 made. In colour they vary a little, some being browner than 

 others ; but few are browner than a Spaniard a little sunburnt 

 might be supposed to be. The women, without being at 

 all delicate in their outward appearance, are rather smaller 

 than European women, but have a peculiar softness of voice 

 which never fails to distinguish them from the men. Both 

 are dressed exactly alike. The women are like those of the 

 sex that I have seen in other countries, more lively, airy, 

 and laughter-loving than the men, and with more volatile 

 spirits. Formed by nature to soften the cares of more 

 serious man, who takes upon himself the laborious and toil- 

 some part, as war, tilling the ground, etc., that disposition 

 appears even in this uncultivated state of nature, showing 

 in a high degree that, in uncivilised as well as in the most 

 polished nations, man's ultimate happiness must at last be 

 placed in woman. The dispositions of both sexes seem 

 mild, gentle, and very affectionate to each other, but im- 

 placable towards their enemies, whom after having killed 

 they eat, probably from a principle of revenge. I believe 

 they never give quarter or take prisoners. They seem inured 

 to war, and in their attacks work themselves up by their 

 own war dance to a kind of artificial courage, which will 





