342 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
the blood of those who, under other circum¬ 
stances, they would have hailed as playmates, 
and have joined in innocent and mirthful pas¬ 
times. Their wars are not only sanguinary, but 
horribly demoralizing and brutal, from the cir¬ 
cumstance of the captives, or the slain, furnishing 
the victors with their triumphal banquet. This 
revolting manner of destroying, in consequence of 
being captured, was rendered more horrid from the 
brutal manner in which it was performed : some¬ 
times they chopped off the legs and arms, and 
otherwise mangled the body before they put the 
victim to death. 
The cannibalism of the inhabitants of New Zea¬ 
land, and other islands of the Pacific, has been 
doubted by some, and denied by others; and 
every mind influenced by the common sympathies 
of humanity, must naturally resist the conviction 
of his species ever sinking to a degradation so 
abject, and a barbarity so horrible, until it be 
substantiated by the clearest evidence of indis¬ 
putable facts. But however ardently we may 
have hoped that the accounts of their anthro- 
pophagism were only the result of inferences 
drawn from their familiarity with, and apparent 
satisfaction in, deeds of savage murder—the cir¬ 
cumstantial accounts of the Missionaries and 
others, who have resided amongst them, no longer 
admit any doubt to be entertained of the revolting 
and humiliating fact. 
The intercourse they have had with the greater 
part of the foreign shipping visiting their shores, 
has not been such as to soften the natural ferocity 
of their character, to improve their morals, inspire 
them with confidence, advance their civilization, 
or promote peace and harmony among them- 
