48 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
be felt for his restoration. Old age was seldom 
treated with respect, often with contempt and 
cruelty. 
In seasons of illness, especially if protracted, 
the common people, and the aged, received but 
little attention. If the malady was not soon re¬ 
lieved by the prayers of the priest, and the remedies 
he administered, the sufferer was abandoned. 
Sometimes he was allowed to remain in the house 
of those with whom he was connected. But, in 
general, a small temporary hut was erected with a 
few cocoa-nut leaves, either near a stream, or at a 
short distance from the dwelling. Into this, as to 
the condemned cell, the sick person was removed. 
For a time, the children or friends would supply a 
scanty portion of food, but they often grew weary 
of sending this small alleviation ; and it is believed 
that many have died, as much from hunger, as 
from disease. 
This process was sometimes too slow for those 
who were connected with the sick, and who desired 
to share any property they might possess. If they 
thought there was but little prospect of recovery, 
they would determine to destroy them at once. 
Murder was at times perpetrated, under these 
circumstances, with heartless and wanton bar¬ 
barity. The spear or the club was employed, to 
effect what disease had been too tardy in accom¬ 
plishing. All the persons in the house, when 
these deeds of horror were performed, were called 
out; and the friends or companions of the sufferer, 
armed with spears, prepared for their savage work. 
It was in vain the helpless man cried for mercy; 
instead of attending to his cry, they “ would amuse 
themselves in trying which could take best aim” 
with the spear they threw; or, rushing upon him 
