230 GENERAL ACCOUNT OF NEW ZEALAND cuap. x 
The men are of the size of the larger Europeans, stout, 
clean-limbed, and active, fleshy, but never fat, as the lazy 
inhabitants of the South Sea Isles, vigorous, nimble, and at 
the same time clever in all their exercises. JI have seen 
fifteen paddles of a side in one of their canoes move with 
immensely quick strokes, and at the same time as much 
justness as if the rowers were animated by one soul, not 
the fraction of a second could be observed between the 
dipping and raising any two of them, the canoe all the 
while moving with incredible swiftness. To see them dance 
their war dance was an amusement which never failed to 
please every spectator. So much strength, firmness, and 
agility did they show in their motions, and at the same time 
such excellent time did they keep, that I have often heard 
above a hundred paddles struck against the sides of their boats, 
as directed by their singing, without a mistake being ever 
made. In colour they vary a little, some being browner than 
others ; but few are browner than a Spaniard a little sunburnt 
might be supposed to be. The women, without being at 
all delicate in their outward appearance, are rather smaller 
than European women, but have a peculiar softness of voice 
which never fails to distinguish them from the men. Both 
are dressed exactly alike. The women are like those of the 
sex that I have seen in other countries, more lively, airy, 
and laughter-loving than the men, and with more volatile 
spirits. Formed by nature to soften the cares of more 
serious man, who takes upon himself the laborious and toil- 
some part, as war, tilling the ground, etc., that disposition — 
appears even in this uncultivated state of nature, showing 
in a high degree that, in uncivilised as well as in the most 
polished nations, man’s ultimate happiness must at last be 
placed in woman. The dispositions of both sexes seem 
mild, gentle, and very affectionate to each other, but im- 
placable towards their enemies, whom after having killed 
they eat, probably from a principle of revenge. I believe 
they never give quarter or take prisoners. They seem inured 
to war, and in their attacks work themselves up by their 
own war dance to a kind of artificial courage, which will 
