BOWDITCH ISLAND. 27 



was pretending to read his sacred book, which our gentlemen disco- 

 vered was a volume of the Rambler ! This was obtained from him, by 

 Mr. Agate, in exchange for a treatise on rail-roads, which had a flashy 

 red cover, and therefore calculated to inspire his flock with additional 

 reverence for their priest. He also made use of a kind of gibberish in 

 talking to them, wishing, as was supposed, to give his followers the idea 

 that he could speak the Papalangis' language. How he had contrived 

 to propitiate the anger of the old chief Lelomiava, was not ascertained ; 

 but a story was told of him, that about a year before he had lost his 

 two wives, and disappeared, informing his followers he was going to 

 heaven to procure a third. He absented himself about a week, no one 

 being informed where he had gone. On his return without a wife, he 

 was asked where she was. His reply was, that the Great Spirit had 

 told him that he was too old to marry a young wife, and must return 

 to his people, who would take care of him, provide him with food, and 

 do for him all that a wife could do. He accordingly returned, in 

 obedience to the Spirit's directions, and appears to live contented, all 

 his wants being supplied without any care or trouble to himself. One 

 of the most ridiculous parts of this fellow's proceedings, was a native 

 bringing to him an old tea-kettle, which was tabooed and held sacred, 

 on which he began beating with an iron knife, making much noise, his 

 face assuming a contemplative expression, until he had done with his 

 mummeries. Strange as it may seem, he has many proselytes, and 

 nearly all the inhabitants of the district of Sagana ai-e followers of his 

 doctrine. Their appearance contrasts very strongly with that of the 

 Christian villages, while the heathens are, to appearance, almost a 

 different race of people ; the one with long hair, gathered in a knot on 

 the top of the head, and only clothed in the maro; the other with short 

 hair, and dressed in a clean shirt and pareu. To strangers, both are 

 generally kind and hospitable, and continue the Samoan custom of 

 offering food to travellei-s as they pass through the village. 



Since our visit in 1839, Mr. Day had taken up his residence within 

 two miles of Malietoa's town, where Mr. Hale and Dr. Whittle spent 

 an hour or two with him, and proceeded thence to visit Malietoa. Near 

 the new church, the house of Mole was pointed out, in which he had 

 adopted many of the conveniences introduced by foreigners: the floor 

 of his house was of boards, raised above the ground, and his doors 

 w T ere made to turn on hinges. The interior was divided by partitions 

 into four rooms. A table and some rude seats composed the furniture. 

 How far this example will be followed by the natives, time alone can 

 determine. I believe that all those who have examined and reflected 

 upon the condition of the natives of the South Sea islands, will be satis- 



