1841.] Report on the Island of Chedooba. 427 



approbation and kindly feeling. When engaged in the endeavour to 

 bring down from the West Hill a large tree, which I was anxious to 

 obtain, nothing could exceed the cheerfulness with which the labour was 

 undertaken, in fact so much so as to give it more the character of an 

 amusement; with the exertion of all the able bodied men of the Island, 

 amounting to about 1,200 they were yet unable to move it after many days 

 trial ; and they requested assistance from us. With a party of twelve men, 

 and purchases we joined them, and with this assistance the ease with which 

 the tree was moved, astonished and delighted them ; the labour was 

 subsequently given up as occupying too much time, but up to the time 

 of their dismissal to their villages, nothing but cheerfulness and good 

 humour prevailed. 



Not the slighest inconvenience was occasioned during their stay of 14 

 day 8 in the neighbourhood of the village, which was our head quarters ; 

 parties were sent for their provisions from their own houses, and not a 

 grain of rice or a fowl was demanded from the village, which was just 

 as quiet, with the close neighbourhood of a body of men, as if 

 no one had been there, the jungles affording shelter by night. A 

 dinner was given to all who would remain to partake of it, on their giving 

 up the work, the only return which could be made in approbation of 

 their cheerful and efficient labour, and a promise was afterwards procured 

 for the remission of a portion of the annual taxation, to those villages 

 who were called on to render the greatest assistance in the labour of the 

 Survey. 



In the case of one of our Bengallee attendants who had struck a Mug, 

 of which complaint was made to me, was afforded an evidence of their 

 forgiving and unrevengeful disposition. The man though much hurt with 

 the blow of a stick, and indignant at it, expressly requested on the offer 

 being made, that no punishment might be awarded, all he required was that 

 such treatment might not again be repeated. They are very fond of 

 public amusements, which are generally given in honor of the exertion of 

 some work of public utility, at these, plays, dancing, and wrestling take 

 place ; of the former two, not much may be said ; of the latter, the most 

 remarkable feature exhibited, appeared the total absence of all angry 

 feeling on the part of. the antagonist. Boxing is also at such times 

 another exhibition. 



Old age is treated with great respect, and the elders of a village, even 

 when not officials, are consulted and listened to in all matters of debate 

 relative to the interests of the community. When addressed they are 

 called ' Appogee,' a title of respect. 



3 H- 



