152 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



noise of the cannon, and the effect of the shot upon the water; but 

 unlike his retinue, he manifested terror rather than approbation, and 

 at his request, the firing was discontinued. I remarked also, that 

 after some discussion among themselves, one of the natives set about 

 taking the dimensions of the Vincennes. 



Tanoa's life had been an eventful one ; and owing apparently to 

 the regard for his personal character, he had been allowed to exceed 

 the usual limit of years. He had become, however, quite timid, and 

 with reason ; for in a country where natural death is scarcely arrived 

 at by the common people, the precarious state of royalty may be 

 imagined. Indeed, it was said, that his son at times, did not scruple 

 to remind him of the Feejeean privilege. 



A general system of parricide, was a novel social institution ; but 

 where the quantity of food is fixed, one result will be perceived to 

 follow ; an increased proportion of persons in the prime of life, " for 

 the service of the state." 



Every Feejee village has a sacred house or ' mbure,' constructed 

 with more care and more regard to architectural taste, than the ordi- 

 nary dwelling-houses. The name shows a connexion with the ' morals' 

 of the Polynesians. Women are excluded from the Feejee mbures; 

 which are used by the men as places of public resort, and around 

 which they are often seen lounging. Strangers are entertained and 

 lodged, and kava-drinkinfjs and feasts are held in these houses. It 

 was reported that on some occasions, a sort of ' grace' is sometimes 

 pronounced, and a great variety of toasts and compliments inter- 

 changed. 



At Samoa, we had seen women only employed in the preparation 

 of kava; but here, the process "is conducted exclusively by the men." 

 The kava-bowls are shallow, and of the same general pattern as the 

 Samoan, but are much larger and finer; indeed, they cost so much 

 labour, and are so highly valued, that it is no easy matter to procure 

 one. A specimen is, however, contained in the museum at Salem. 



There was also at Levuka, a small high-pointed building, some- 

 what conspicuous, which contained the Oracle. The Feejeeans pos- 

 sess a regular system of mythology. According to report, regard is 

 paid in the selection of their priests, to the capacity of maintaining 

 a voluntary fit of tremor; an instance of which feat, I witnessed. 

 Human sacrifices are not unknown, as was shown in an attempt by 

 some Mbau people, on the lives of two women near Levuka, to pro- 

 vide for "the consecration of a new mbure." 



