ROTUMA MEN. 35 
these great drunkards enjoy such a long life. They 
boast—whether it be true I had no means of testing— 
that they are often intoxicated two months at a time. 
One of the oldest white settlers always bought a large 
cask of spirits whenever he had the chance, and, as he 
did not know when he should have another, he took the 
daily precaution to fill up the cask with as much water 
as he had drunk spirits. 
On the Ist of June, one of the Rotuma men, work- 
ing in the establishment, died. His countrymen seemed 
to feel his loss very much, as he had been a petty 
chief among them, and they proceeded to bury him 
in their own fashion. The body was wrapped up in 
cloth, and a mound raised about two feet above the 
ground, large stones being placed all around, and the 
inside filled up with gravel from the beach. Rotuma 
is a small island three hundred miles north of this 
group, and belonging to the Fijian Consulate. Some 
years ago, the Wesleyans endeayoured to establish a 
permanent mission there, but, although succeeding in 
making a few converts, they were forced to abandon 
the field. The ruling chief, described as a fine young 
fellow, having made a voyage to Sydney, where he 
was well received,—even, if report be true, at Govern- 
ment House,—had been persuaded by some whites and 
a New Zealander, who gained influence over him, that 
if he wished to preserve the independence of his coun- 
try he must not admit missionaries, as they proved in- 
variably the harbingers of national annihilation. The 
Wesleyans therefore received intimation to withdraw 
their Tongan teachers, and the few native converts re- 
D2 
