76 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, and hearty supper, heard many little anecdotes of the place, and 
- derived much amusement from the singularity of the inquiries of our 
Dec. hosts. One regret only intruded itself upon the general conviviality, 
which we did not fail to mention, namely, that there was so wide a 
distinction between the sexes. This was the remains of a custom 
very common among the South-sea Islands, which in some places is 
carried to such an extent, that it imposes death upon the woman who 
shall eat in the presence of her husband ; and though the distinction 
between man and wife is not here carried to that extent, it is still 
sufficiently observed to exclude all the women from table, if there 
happens to be a deficiency of seats. In Pitcairn’s Island, they have 
settled ideas of right and wrong, to which they obstinately adhere ; 
and, fortunately, they have imbibed them generally from the best 
source. 
In the instance in question, they have, however, certainly erred ; 
but of this they could not be persuaded, nor did they, I believe, thank 
us for our interference. Their argument was, that man was made 
first, and ought, consequently, on all occasions, to be served first — a 
conclusion which deprived us of the company of the women at table, 
during the whole of our stay at the island. Far from considering them- 
selves neglected, they very good-naturedly chatted with us behind our 
seats, and flapped away the flies, and by a gentle tap, accidentally or 
playfully delivered, reminded us occasionally of the honour that was 
done us. The conclusion of our meal was the signal for the women and 
children to prepare their own, to whom we resigned our seats, and 
strolled out to enjoy the freshness of the night. It was late by the time 
the women had finished, and we were not sorry when we were shown 
to the beds prepared for us. The mattress was composed of palm- 
leaves, covered with native cloth ; the sheets were of the same material ; 
and we knew, by the crackling of them, that they were quite new from the 
loom, or beater. The whole arrangement was extremely comfortable, 
and highly inviting to repose, which the freshness of the apartment, 
rendered cool by a free circulation of air through its sides, enabled us to 
enjoy without any annoyance from heat or insects. One interruption 
only disturbed our first sleep ; it was the pleasing melody of the evening 
