260 
Wild Life in Southern Seas. 
and are now, very much in evidence. Scarcely 
a year has gone by since 1856 but some 
traveller has written of their open-hearted 
generosity, their simple piety, and their daring 
courage as whalers. Their life was depicted 
as ideal, their loyalty to the Queen as some¬ 
thing touching, and they almost said cross 
words to one another when contending for 
the privilege of entertaining a visitor. The 
use of liquor was unknown, and its name 
abhorred; a wicked word, even when some 
stalwart whaleman darted his iron at a whale 
and made a shocking bad miss, was unheard 
of, and there was no record of even the words 
“ cat ” or “ nasty thing ” being applied to each 
other by the dark-eyed island beauties, even 
under the strongest provocation. It was a 
home of unearthly bliss and strict rectitude 
of conduct. 
Time went on and the population steadily 
increased to its present numbers—about 600. 
The Melanesian Mission established a training 
school for its young native ministers, and the 
fame of the people was noised abroad, and their 
happy lot was the theme of many a pen and the 
inspiration of many an author. Then came 
