CHAPTER IIL 
CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 
1840. 
Berore proceeding to the narration of the operations of the squadron 
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 consi- 
derable 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 
a great variety of figure. Among them the chiefs are tall, well-made, 
VOL, Ill. é 10 (73) 
