514 
COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
and Yon Popp, amongst others, remarks that if we now 
look in vain for the gigantic race described by Captain 
Cook, their deterioration is due, partly at least, to civilisa¬ 
tion and brandy; notwithstanding which the natives of 
Tahiti are still a fine, well-proportioned people, tall and 
robust, with dark-brown complexion, broad nose, slightly 
protruding lips, beautiful teeth, black and mostly curling- 
hair, but with slightly developed beard. With Chris¬ 
tianity some restraint has been introduced amongst the 
islanders, who formerly indulged in unbridled licentious¬ 
ness. At present we must visit the remoter villages to 
see, in their original forms, the seductive dances of the 
native women, gaily decked with flowers. But all this 
will soon vanish, with the people themselves, who, like 
the Sandwich Islanders, are decreasing with, alarming 
rapidity. The idyllic scenes of former days have already 
mostly disappeared under the influence of the missions; 
the short and picturesque national garb has been length¬ 
ened and rendered unsightly; the Sunday songs and 
dances have been prohibited; and to harsh treatment, 
intemperance, and epidemics thousands have fallen 
victims. 
One chief cause, probably, of the decreasing numbers 
of these people is the prevalence of habits of intoxication, 
in which they indulge as a substitute for the dance and 
song and varied amusements so injudiciously forbidden 
by the missionaries. A recent French traveller, M. Jules 
Gamier, informs us that the Tahitians now seek the mere 
sensual pleasure of intoxication, unenlivened by the social 
enjoyments of their ancient festivals. Most fatal gift of 
all, they have been taught to ferment the juice of the 
orange, so abundant and delicious in their island home, 
and thus produce a liquor with which to obtain the 
pleasures and the penalties of intoxication, which men. 
