58 
INHABITANTS OF THE FRIENDLY ISLANDS. 
founded only upon a political fiction of the Hollanders, who had 
formed the design of monopolizing the trade of the Spice Islands, for 
the accomplishment of which they perpetrated about the same time 
a similar tragedy at Pooleron, where they put to the torture one 
hundred and sixty-two of the natives, whom they likewise charged 
with a pretended conspiracy. It may justly be reckoned singular 
in the fortune of this commercial republic, that they have ever since 
been permitted to enjoy in peace those invaluable islands, which were 
originally obtained by such atrocious infringements of humanity and 
the laws of nations, as will stain the Dutch annals, to the latest ages, 
with indelible infamy. 
But indeed we need not be surprised at any thing of this kind, while 
some of the powers of Europe pay so little attention to the dictates of 
humanity, as to permit the African slave-trade to be still carried on by 
their subjects, or.suffer that nation of robbers, the Algerines, to con- 
tinue their piracies unpunished. 
Inhabitants of the Friendly Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. 
The natives of these islands seldom exceed the common stature, 
but are strong and well made. They are generally broad about the 
shoulders, and though the muscular appearance of the men rather 
conveys the idea of strength than of beauty, several of them are really 
handsome. Most of the women are well proportioned, and some are 
absolutely perfect models of beauty, both in features and figure. But 
the most remarkable distinction, is the uncommon smallness and deli- 
cacy of their fingers. The general colour is a cast deeper than the 
copper brown, but several have a true olive complexion, and some of 
the women are even a great deal fairer. Their countenances express 
their natural mildness, being entirely free from that savage keenness 
which marks most nations in a barbarous style. They are frank, 
cheerful, and good-natured. There are few natural deformities to be 
found among them. The most common is the tetter, or ringworm, 
w'hich seems to affect almost one half of them, and leaves serpentine 
marks behind it. 
Captain Cook had the mortification to learn, that all the care he 
took when he first visited these islands, to prevent the venereal dis- 
ease from being communicated to the inhabitants, had proved ineffec- 
tual. But they do not seem to regard it much. As there appeared 
few signs of its fatal effects, probably the climate, and their way of 
living, abate its virulence. 
There are two other complaints frequent "amongst them, one of 
which is an indolent firm swelling, that affects the legs and arms, 
and ihcreases them to an extraordinary size in their whole length. 
The other is a tumor of the same sort, in the lower glands, which 
sometimes exceeds the size of the two fists. In other respects they 
seem uncommonly healthy. 
Their hair is in general straight, thick, and strong, though a few have 
it bushy, or frizzled. The natural colour is black, but the greatest 
part of the men, and some of the women, have it stained of a brown, 
fpurple, or orange colour. Some have it cut off on one side of the 
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