410 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
similar materials, and containing a catechism, 
hymn-book, and testament: the little boys follow¬ 
ing in the same order; more frequently, however, 
arrayed in the native costume, having a little 
finely-platted white mat, fringed at the edges, 
wound round their loins ; another of the same 
kind, or a light scarf, dyed with glowing native 
colours, passed across their breasts, and thrown * 
loosely over their shoulders; their feet naked, 
and their hair often cut short, but sometimes 
hanging in ringlets over their open countenances; 
and their heads covered with a neat little grass 
or straw hat, made by their mothers or their 
sisters. 
Before the service began, they were usually led 
to the seats appropriated for them in the chapel; 
and where there have been galleries, these have 
been occupied by the scholars. Frequently we 
have been approaching the place of worship at the 
same time that the schools have entered it, and 
it has often afforded us satisfaction to behold 
a father or a mother, with an infant in arms, 
standing under the shade of a tree that grew 
by the side of the road near the chapel, to see, in 
the line of scholars, a son or daughter pass by. 
When the object of affection has approached, a 
smile of pleasure has indicated the gratification of 
the child at the notice taken by the parent, and 
that smile has been reciprocated by the parent, 
who, in silent gladness, followed to the house of 
God. 
The morning service commences with singing, 
during which the congregations stand; a portion 
of scripture is then read, and prayer offered, the 
congregation kneeling or standing. This is fol¬ 
lowed by singing a second time ; a sermon is then 
