POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
139 
the inland streams, whither they had repaired, to bathe 
after the occupations of the day ^ the men bringing home 
their calabashes of water for drinking, or their aanos 
of water for washing the feet; while the females were 
carrying home bundles of the broad leaves of the hibis¬ 
cus, which they had gathered, to serve instead of plates 
for Sabbath meals. On entering the dwellings on the 
Saturday evening, every thing would appear remark¬ 
ably neat, orderly, and clean—their food in baskets— 
their calabashes filled with fresh water—^their fruit 
gathered—and leaves plucked and carefully piled up for 
use—their clean garments were also laid out ready for 
the next day. The hours of the evening, instead 
of being a season of greatest care and hurry, are, I 
believe, often seasons of preparation—prelude to hours 
of holy rest.’^ 
The sacred day was not only distinguished by a total 
cessation from labour, trade or barter, amusements, and 
worldly pleasure—but no visits were made, no parties 
of company entertained, no fire lighted, nor food cooked, 
except in cases of illness. This strict observance of the 
Sabbath, especially in regard to the latter points, where¬ 
by the Tahitian resembled the Jewish more perhaps 
than the Christian Sabbath, was not directly inculcated 
by the Missionaries, but resulted from the desire of the 
natives themselves to suspend, during this day, their 
ordinary avocations, and also from their imitation of the 
conduct of the Missionaries in this respect. 
We have always been accustomed to have our usual 
beverage prepared in the morning and afternoon; but 
this is the only purpose for which, in ordinary seasons, 
a fire has ever been lighted for any of the Missionary 
families ; and when destitute of these articles, which in 
