CUSTOMS OF NEW ZEALAND. 81 
the prolongation or security of his life. It is, 
moreover, desirable to place upon record some of 
the prominent features of the primitive state of 
the inhabitants of this country ; as they are now 
rapidly changing their character. 
When first discovered by Europeans, the New 
Zealanders were indeed a savage and a barbarous 
people ; and, till within a very few years, there has 
apparently been little or no difference in their 
national character. The intercourse which they 
have latterly held with civilized man, and their 
knowledge of the blessings which are to be de- 
rived from the acceptance of the Gospel, have, 
in some measure, changed the character of all 
the inhabitants of these islands on the eastern 
coast, and north of the Thames. The great body, 
however, of even these natives still retain a large 
portion, if not all, of their original manners ; and 
are, in many instances, still addicted to the super- 
stitions and observances of their forefathers. 
We first begin by describing the entrance of a 
New Zealander into life. As soon as a child is born, 
it is wrapped up, and laid to sleep in the verandah, 
which most of the New-Zealand houses possess : 
its nose is sometimes rubbed by the mother, to 
flatten it ; and a few hours after the birth of the 
child, the mother pursues her ordinary work in 
the field, or, if at a distance from home, bends 
her steps, with all speed, thitherward. The poor 
little infants must suffer much. In various ways 
they are tormented ; and the roughness of the 
E 3 
