CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 81 



jeean character, and is the incentive to many crimes. I have, 

 however, been assured, that a white man might travel with safety 

 from one end of an island to the other, provided he had nothing about 

 him to excite their desire of acquisition. This may be true, but it is 

 impossible to say that even the most valueless article of our manu- 

 factures might not be coveted by them. With all this risk of being 

 put to death, hospitable entertainment and reception in their houses 

 is almost certain, and while in them perfect security may be relied 

 on. The same native who within a few yards of his house would 

 murder a coining or departing guest for sake of a knife or a hatchet, 

 will defend him at the risk of his own life as soon as he has passed 

 his threshold. 



The people of the Feejee Group, are divided into a number of tribes, 

 independent and often hostile to each other. In each tribe great and 

 marked distinctions of rank exist. The classes which are readily 

 distinguished are as follows: 1. kings; 2. chiefs; 3. warriors; 4. 

 landholders (matanivanua) ; 5. slaves (kai-si). The last have nomi- 

 nally little influence; but in this group, as in other countries, the mere 

 force of numbers is sufficient to counterbalance or overcome the force 

 of the prescriptive rights of the higher and less numerous classes. 

 This has been the case at Ambau, where the people at no distant 

 period rose against and drove out their kings. 



Among the most singular of the Feejee customs, and of whose origin 

 it is difficult to form a rational opinion, is that which gives certain 

 rights to a member of another tribe, who is called Vasu (nephew). To 

 give an idea of the character of this right, and the manner in which 

 it is exercised, I shall cite the case of Tanoa. He, although the most 

 powerful chief in the group, feels compelled to comply with, and ac- 

 knowledges Thokanauto (better known to foreigners as Mr. Phillips) 

 as Vasu-togai of Ambau, who has in consequence the right of sending 

 thither for any thing he may want, and even from Tanoa himself. 

 On Tanoa's first visit to me, among other presents, I gave him one of 

 Hall's patent rifles. This Thokanauto heard of, and determined to 

 have it, and Tanoa had no other mode of preserving it than by send- 

 ing it away from Ambau. When Rivaletta, Tanoa's youngest son, 

 visited me one day at the observatory, he had the rifle with him, and 

 told me that his father had put it into his hands, in order that it 

 might not be demanded. 



Afterwards, when Thokanauto himself paid me a visit, he had in 

 his possession one of the watches that had been given to Seru, and 



VOL. III. 21 



