128 DISPOSITIOX. 



Tlie chief's son relieves him of one of the largest knives. His 

 numerous relations and friends assist themselves to some of the 

 more valuable articles in the box ; whilst the calico and beads are 

 evenly appropriated by the different ladies of the village, as their 

 manner of evincing their [)leasure at his safe return. The unhappy 

 man dares not refuse, and he finally leaves the beach for his own 

 house with a very light box and a heavy heart. But his friends in 

 the neighbourhood think it their duty to convey their congratulations 

 in person ; and in a few days the box a,lone remains, which it is very 

 likely that the chief has already secured " in prospectu." The fore- 

 going is by no means an exaggerated account of the reception which 

 awaits a Solomon Islander when he returns from his term of service 

 in the colonies. 



The natives of this group have obtained for themselves the 

 reputation of being the most treacherous and bloodthirsty ot the 

 Pacific Islanders. Here, however, as in other groups, the inhabi- 

 tants have been judged according to the circumstances attending the 

 visit of the navigator. If he has come into collision with them, he 

 Y)aints their conduct in the darkest colours ; but if, as has rarely 

 been the case, there has been nothing to interrupt the harmony of 

 his intercourse, he is apt, in his description of the peaceful character 

 of the natives, to reflect on the want of humanity which marked the 

 dealings of his predecessors. But for us a middle course would seem 

 preferable ; and in approving the mild measures of the one, we must 

 not forget that the harsh treatment of the other mav have arisen in 

 circumstances over which he had little control. The early inter- 

 course between civilized and savage peoples must of necessity be 

 fraught with peril, until the latter cease to look upon every sti-anger 

 as a probable foe. It is not often that we have the pleasure of 

 reading such accounts as are given by Kotzebue and Chamisso of 

 their intercourse with the Radack Islanders ; yet we must remember 

 that the humane principles of La Perouso led, unfortunatelj^, to the 

 massacre of M. de Lanole and eleven others in the Navicjator Islands. 

 Here again the middle course is to be followed ; and the traveller 

 most successful in his dealinos with these races will be he who 

 obtains for himself their fear as well as their affection. 



The early intercourse of the Solomon Islanders with the 

 Spaniards, and with the first French navigators, was too often 

 marked by bloodshed to enable us to form a correct estimation of 

 the disposition of these natives. We therefore turn without regret 



