IIL 
Social Life, Manners, and Customs of the People. 
It is only by observing the contrast between the Fijian of 
to-day, and the Fijian of heathenism, that we can understand 
the remarkable change which has passed over the inhabi- 
tants of the islands. For this purpose it will be well to 
devote a chapter to the social life, manners, and customs 
of the Fijians, prior to 1835. must, however, be under- 
stood that in many of the islands and districts these customs 
were still observed down to a very recent date. Even in 
1870, cannibalism still maintained its sway in those parts 
of the country not immediately under the influence of 
missionaries. 
The Fijian is very proud of his country, and boasts much 
of his superiority over other South Sea Islanders. He 
believes his country to be larger and better than any other, 
and if confronted with a globe or map, will call these things 
lying.'' They are adepts at deceit, covetousness, envy, 
theft, ingratitude. If by any amount of deceit, or lying, / 
they could get a victim into their power, this victim was 
slain without pity or compunction. Any benefit conferred 
only created a covetous desire for more ; and the pioneer 
missionaries used to witness daily the appropriation of their 
goods by savages who pretended to love them for their kind 
ministrations. Vengeance was most carefully and persis- 
tently inflicted, and rather than be disappointed in wreak- 
210 
> 
