Moruea. 325 
has little enough for himself and family. They seem lazy, and so are 
all under-fed beings. ‘They are unwisely independent in that they refuse 
offers of work just because it does not suit at the time and yet they 
would be glad of the money aod perhaps are much in need of it. 
“ Begoars can't be choosers” is a saying that they do not seem to have 
heard of, and they are far too short-sighted to see it for themselves, with 
the result that they often oftend their best friends. On the other hand 
his cleanly habits of body and dress would shame many of his “ civilised ” 
superiors as would his dignified deportment and self-control. Many of the 
defects of the Red Man are what J may call “ natural,” for example, his 
weakness for drink ; it would be wonderful were they totally absent, even 
where religious influence has been brouglit to bear on his life. His 
worst defects, however, are the result of his contact with “ civilised ” 
man. The “civilised” savage is the Red Man’s greatest curse. He is 
not merely a bad and scandalous example but sometimes a veritable devil, 
deliberately trying to ruin the Red Man. 
