A VIEW OF THE R El NO A. 
CHAPTER VII. 
CUSTOMS RELATING TO THE DEAD. 
The Customs relating to the Dead varied in almost every part 
of the island, as did also the ideas entertained of their state 
after death. 
The interment of the dead was considered as a duty of the 
highest importance, especially that of the chiefs; as for poor- 
slaves, little thought was bestowed upon them; they were 
buried or not, according to circumstances. If the corpse laid 
in a spot where it was not offensive to the living, there it was 
left; if otherwise, a hole was dug, and it was thrown into it. 
But when a chief died, the mournful event was immediately 
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