CoLENSO. — On the Maori Baces of New Zealand. 379 



matters. They took great heed not wantonly to hurt anyone's feelings; 

 and if any such was attempted, it was immediately repressed. Such a 

 person Avas spoken of as having had no parents, or as having been born 

 (laid) by a bird (a term repeatedly used by the New Zealanders concerning 

 many English " gentlemen," owing to their rude behaviour). Things which 

 might remind the visitors of past sorrows and troubles were also carefully 

 put out of sight. The people of the place were mindful not to use any bad 

 or intemperate language towards, or in the hearing of, their visitors. No 

 foolish tricks were offered in jest. They were very careful not to step over, 

 or to hand food over, any of them. If they wished to pass through or by 

 them, and there was little or no room, they did not shove, but civilly said, 

 '' TuJcua a hau,^'' — Allow me to pass. They brought their visitors fire, food, 

 and water, always of the best they had ; and if they were of high rank, such 

 was in part carried to them by the chiefs of the place ; and often, if they had 

 any reserved prized delicacy, they also brought it. Sometimes, when their 

 visitors were very few, and arrived just as the evening meal was cooked, they 

 sent them the best of it, the chief sometimes culling with his own hands. 

 In laying down anything before their visitors, they always retired nimbly, 

 lest they should hear their own praises, or be supposed to be desirous of hear- 

 ing them. They avoided openly staring or laughing at the newly arrived, 

 or making impertinent remarks upon their appearance, manner, clothing, 

 &c. ; and quickly removed all offensive things dropped near by animals, and 

 carefully covered up all sores or deformities of their own. The chief of the 

 village often gave up his own house to his visitors, and sat outside the door 

 in the sun, rain, and wind, conversing with them until they had repeatedly 

 invited him in. If the party Avas small, and house accommodation scanty, the 

 chief of the village and his people occupied the inferior side of the house, 

 leaving all the other and best side to the visitors. They were careful not to 

 ask any one his name, particularly a stranger. They Avere always exceedingly 

 circumspect not to cause offence by a look, Avord, or gesture. They rarely 

 inquired after anyone's health by name, and took good care not to inquire 

 specially after any female. They also abstained from finding fault with any 

 of the words or doings of their visitors, even when they might justly have 

 done so. From courtesy alone they generally assented to what was said by 

 a Adsitor, and always to anything said by a person of rank ; at the same time 

 quietly holding to their own opinions. (This trait in their character has 

 been the means of deceiving many Europeans, and not a few of those in high 

 authority.) While their visitors slept by day, they Avere attentive not to 

 disturb them. If anyone happened to be among the party who was an enemy, 

 or had done wrong to anyone of the village, and had not yet made repara- 

 tion, they quietly overlooked it for the sake of the head of the party ; at the 



