CHAPTER XV 
DESCRIPTION OF SAVU 
Mr. Lange’s account—Political divisions of the island—Its general appear- 
ance — Productions — Buffaloes — Horses —Sheep — Fish — Vegetables — 
Fan-palm—Liquor—Sugar-making—Fire-holes for cooking —Sustaining 
qualities of sugar—Description of the natives—Dress—Ornaments— 
Chewing betel, areca, lime, and tobacco—Construction of their houses— 
Looms and spinning-machines—Surgery—Religion—Christian converts 
—Radjas—Slaves—Large stones of honour—Feasts—Military— Weapons 
—Relations with the Dutch—Mynheer Lange—Language—Neighbouring 
islands—Wreck of a French ship—Dutch policy with regard to language. 
I SHALL now proceed to give such an account of the island 
as I could get together during our stay, which, short as: it 
was, was so taken up with procuring refreshments, in which 
occupation every one was obliged to exert himself, that very 
little, I confess, is from my own observation. Almost every- 
thing is gathered from the conversation of Mr. Lange, who 
at first and at the end was very free and open, and, I am 
inclined to believe, did not deceive us in what he told us, 
how much soever he might conceal; except, perhaps, in the 
strength and warlike disposition of the islanders, which 
account seems to contradict itself, as one can hardly imagine 
these people to be of a warlike disposition who have con- 
tinued in peace time out of mind. As for the other islands 
in this neighbourhood, his information was all we had to go 
upon. I would not, however, neglect to set it down, though 
in general it was of little more consequence than to confirm 
the policy of the Dutch in confining their spices to parti- 
cular isles, which, being full of them, cannot supply them- 
selves with provisions. 
