CHAPTER III. 



CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 



1840. 



Before proceeding to the narration of the operations of the squad- 

 ron in the Feejee Group, it would appear expedient to give some 

 account of the people who inhabit the islands of which it is composed. 

 A reader, unacquainted with their manners and customs, can hardly 

 appreciate the difficulties with which the performance of our duties 

 was attended, or the obstacles which impeded our progress. Our 

 information, in relation to the almost unknown race which occupies 

 the Feejee Group, was obtained from personal observation, from the 

 statements of the natives themselves, and from white residents. I also 

 derived much information from the missionaries, who, influenced by 

 motives of religion, have undertaken the arduous, and as yet unprofit- 

 able, task of introducing the light of civilization and the illumination 

 of the gospel into this benighted region. 



Although, as we shall see, the natives of Feejee have made con- 

 siderable progress in several of the useful arts, they are, in many 

 respects, the most barbarous and savage race now existing upon the 

 globe. The intercourse they have had with white men has produced 

 some effect on their political condition, but does not appear to have had 

 the least influence in mitigating the barbarous ferocity of their cha- 

 racter. In this group, therefore, may be seen the savage in his state 

 of nature ; and a comparison of his character with that of the natives 

 of the groups in which the gospel has been profitably preached, will 

 enable our readers to form a better estimate of the value of missionary 

 labours, than can well be acquired in any other manner. 



The Feejeeans are generally above the middle height, and exhibit 



vol. in. 20 



