76 CRUISE OF THE ' CUBACJOA.' 



wliat is called an illustration of some of these features. 

 First, as to tlieir covetousuess. When a chief receives a 

 visitor, his first question is, ' Wliat present will you take ? ' 

 He then places everything he has at his guest's disposal, 

 though he might be awfully mortified were his offer ac- 

 cepted. But how this proves the charge is not very clear, 

 especial!}^ as a similar custom has always existed in Spain, 

 and, as I know from experience, exists in Eussia, without 

 carrying with it the reproach of either covetousuess or 

 deceptiveness. Moreover, when this formal offer has been 

 made, we find that, as soon as the ceremony — or, as it is 

 called, ' the risk of acceptance ' was over, ' they were but too 

 happy to supply us with cocoa-iuits and fruits.' But then, 

 this liberality is said to be only apparent, since what they 

 do is in expectation of a full rctm-n. Nevertheless, such 

 is the general hospitality and kind social feeling, that when 

 provisions fail in one district, they who are in want freely 

 visit those of other districts where provisions abound, I'cady 

 to do the same kind offices to then- entertainers when the 

 conditions ai'e reversed. Thus, while the abstract charses 

 are deteriorating, the illustrative facts are encomiastic, as 

 respects their liberality. 



Next, as to their indolence. Their habits are described 

 as regidar. They rise with tlie sun and breakfast ; tliey 

 bathe and oil themselves to go to their daily occupations, 

 comprising the cultivation of taro and yams, building houses 

 and canoes, fishing and bird-catching sufficient for tlie 

 day's supplies. 



