TONGATABOO. 



25 



they have the idea that his house and all things in it are made of the 

 spirits of people, where they continue to serve without end. They 

 never pray toBulotu, except when some sacrilege has been committed 

 to the offerings they make him; and on this occasion they always 

 make a human sacrifice. They also invoke him when the Tui Tonga 

 is sick ; and it depends on the reigning Tui Kanakabolo whether or 

 not a human sacrifice is offered. None but gods are ever permitted 

 to come from Bulotu. This god has his spirit-temple, where all their 

 valuable presents to the gods are deposited. I was shown by the 

 missionaries some large whale's teeth that were prettily carved, 

 which had been found in the temple lately destroyed by the Christian 

 party. 



We saw here three natives of the island of Rotuma, who had been 

 some time at Tonga: one of them was said to be a chief of high rank; 

 another, an old man, a chief also, and a kind of Mentor to the former, 



ROTUMA CHIEF. 



who spoke a little English, and was quite blind, having become 

 so since he had left his own island. The old man seemed to feel great 

 solicitude about his charge, and expressed a wish to get away from 

 Tonga. The reason he gave me for this desire was, " there was too 

 much fight here; it would be bad for the young chief, who was to be 

 a king." He told me also there had been no war on his island for 

 many years. It is generally known by the whalers and others, that 

 at Rotuma, the people are the most peaceable of any of these Polyne- 



VOL. III. 



