POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
113 
appear trivial^ but they serve to shew the expedients 
resorted to in a state so peculiar as that now prevailing 
in the South Sea Islands. 
For school the bell is rung^ the shell sounded^ or the 
bar of iron beaten^ only once ; which is about a quarter 
of an hour before it commences. For public worship 
it is repeated a second time—once at a quarter before 
the commencement^ and again immediately preceding 
the service | and indifferent as the means of giving pub¬ 
lic notice are^ there is no cause to complain of delay 
or interruption^ from the late attendance of the people. 
They are punctual in repairing to the house of prayer 
immediately after the first intimation has been given, 
and are usually all assembled before the period for the 
service to commence has arrived. Their ready and 
early attendance is a circumstance cheering to the 
minds of their teachers, who often receive a message, 
informing them, that though it may not be time to 
ring the second bell, the house is full, and the people 
are waiting. This is not only manifested with regard 
to their Sabbath-day services, but their lecture on Wed¬ 
nesday evening, and their monthly Missionary prayer- 
meetings. It is true, their occupations at home are 
seldom very urgent, and they have not much to neg¬ 
lect ; it is nevertheless encouraging to notice, that 
they do not wish to avoid a place of worship, when 
a public service is held. 
To the influence of climate, the habit of frequent 
bathing, so prevalent among the South Sea Islanders, 
is probably to be attributed. This salutary custom 
is followed alike by all classes, without regard to sex 
or age. The infant immediately after its birth is with 
its mother taken to the sea | and the last effort often 
II. a 
