CHARACTER. 387 



reverence, whether by words or actions, arise only from a 

 humble sense of their own inferiority, and the ineffable ex- 

 cellence of divine perfection." However mistaken they may 

 have been on many points, however wrong many of their 

 customs doubtless appear to us, surely under such a creed as 

 this, good actions become doubly virtuous, and virtue itself 

 shines the brighter. 



They had no laws, nor courts of justice. Personal security 

 and the rights of private property were but little regarded 

 among them. The chiefs and priests exercised an authority 

 founded on fear and superstition. They had no word for 

 "law" in the language.* It is only fair to the chiefs to add 

 that they were above being idle, and thought it a disgrace if 

 they did not excel in all departments of labor, t In character 

 the inhabitants of Tahiti, according to Captain Cook, " were 

 liberal, brave, open, and candid, without either suspicion or 

 treachery, cruelty, or revenge." J They were very anxious 

 for education. The women were affectionate, tender, and 

 obedient ; the men mild, generous, slow to take offence, 

 and easily satisfied. Both sexes were very healthy. "I 

 never saw any one," says Forster, " of a morose, peevish, 

 discontented disposition in the whole nation ; they all join to 

 their cheerful temper, a politeness and elegance which is 

 happily blended with the most innocent simplicity of man- 

 ners." Murders were very rare among them ; and though 

 much licence was permitted to the young women before 

 marriage, the married women, according to Captain Cook, [| 

 were as well behaved "as in any other country whatever." 

 They were very thievish ; but we must consider the immense 

 temptations to which they were subjected and the, to them, 

 inestimable value of the articles which they stole. Like 



* Ellis, I.e. vol. ii., p. 427. I.e. p. 582. 



f Ellis, I.e. vol. ii. p. 178. || Voyage to the South Pole, vol. i., 



} First Voyage, vol. ii., p. 188. p. 187. 



