POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 51 / 
required an appeal to their weapons, and led them to the 
field of plunder and of death. 
I have dwelt longer on this subject than I intended, 
and perhaps than it required ; but the former frequency 
of war, the motives influencing the parties engaging in the 
ceremonies connected with it, and the manner in which 
it was prosecuted, were all adapted to convey, next to 
their mythology, a correct idea of the national character 
of the people, who made war, paganism, and vicious 
amusements, the business of life. In all our converse 
with them relative to their former state, no subject was 
so frequently introduced. No event in history, no 
character in their biography, appeared unconnected with 
some warlike expedition, or feat of arms 5 and almost 
all the illustrations of the most powerful and striking 
expressions which we sought to investigate, were drawn 
from the wars. 
In connexion with this state of society, how cheering 
is the contrast exhibited since the introduction of 
Christianity. Rumours of war have indeed been heard, 
especially at Tahiti—where, since the death of the late 
king, very powerful interests, and perhaps some latent 
feelings of ancient rivalship, have been brought into col¬ 
lision, and where the conduct of some in the highest 
authority, has not been at all times the most honourable 
or conciliatory—but no actual hostility has yet existed. 
In the Leeward Islands also, reports of war, and warlike 
preparations, have appeared— more particularly in refe¬ 
rence to the bold and martial chieftain of Tahaa, and 
some of the restless spirits among the inhabitants of 
Borabora, once celebrated for their military prowess, 
and masters of most of the Leeward group—^but here it 
has been only rumour. 
