76 CRUISE OF TEE ' GUBAgOA.' 



what is called au illustration of some of these features. 

 First, as to their covetousness. 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, 

 especially 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 covetousness 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-nuts and fruits.' But then, 

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

 do is in expectation of a full return. 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, ready 

 to do the same kind offices to their entertainers when the 

 conditions are reversed. Thus, while the abstract charges 

 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 the sun and breakfast ; they 

 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 the 

 day's supplies. 



