100 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Sea Islands, is not shorter than in other parts of 
the world, unless when it is rendered so by the 
inordinate use of ardent spirits, and the influence 
of diseases prevailing among the lower classes, 
from which they were originally exempt, and the 
ravages of which they are unable to palliate or 
remove. 
The mode of living, especially among tne farmers, 
their simple diet, and the absence of all stimulants, 
their early hours of retiring to rest, and rising in the 
morning with or before the break of day, their 
freedom from irritating or distressing cares, and 
sedentary habits, which so often, in artificial or 
civilized society, destroy health, appear favourable 
to the longevity of this portion of the inhabitants, 
and present a striking contrast to the dissipated 
and licentious habits of the Areois dancers, and 
votaries of dissipation and pleasure. 
