80 CRUISE OF THE ' CVBACJOA: 



cold, ' they unrolled the train of their robes, and wrapping 

 it gracefully round the upper part of the body close to the 

 chin, somewhat after the manner of a Spanish cloak, stood 

 listening to the music, looking like beautifully draped 

 statues, until it was time to depart.' ^ The same writer 

 thus concludes his notice of the Samoans : ' It would be 

 unjust not to allude to their remarkable cleanliness and 

 habits of decency, which these islanders carry to a higher 

 point than the most fastidious of civilized nations. ISTor 

 however low the morals of both sexes may have originally 

 been, did any example of an indelicate word or action come 

 under my notice during our stay of seventeen days.' ^ 



It is evident from these interesting details, that though 

 the Samoans may be, as is affirmed, less energetic than the 

 people of some other groups, they 'are, nevertheless, dis- 

 tinguished by some remarkable qualities, which, if not 

 deteriorated by so-called civihzed people, give promise of 

 a superior civilization. It is much to be regretted that 

 they are not assisted in their advance by men of a more 

 polished order than the greater part of those who have 

 undertaken to elevate them. At all events it is greatly to 

 be apprehended that the present misceUaneous instructors 

 of these people will have but little sympathy with the highly 

 distinguished manners that have so much astonished those 

 who know how to appreciate them. Yet manners have 

 a great influence on the character and development of a 

 society ; at least, such is the opinion of a great authority. 



' Erskine, p. 152. " Ibid. p. 110. 



