22 
SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
this first step, when their advice as to the probable future 
is sought, the distance to the second, that of absolute pro¬ 
phecy, is short; and the old man and the priest begin to 
foretell, and not unfrequently to assume a control over 
futurity. Among absolute prophecies there are none more 
natural than those arising from the regret of a nation for 
the death of a benefactor. Rono, the beneficent spirit who 
taught useful arts, dies. The innate feeling of immortality 
makes his subjects unwilling to believe that he has actually 
perished, and they fondly hope that he will return. Mean¬ 
time his memory is kept alive by offerings to him of the things 
he most valued. The scarlet robe which distinguished him 
is consecrated, the enemies of his people taken in battle are 
slain before him, that their spirits may serve him: the very 
food he preferred is placed on a whatta for his acceptance, 
and suffered there to perish, rather than be perverted to an 
ordinary purpose. 
A very trifling advance, however, in civilization, or a 
little imprudence in the prophet, may destroy the charm; 
and the Tohowe, or priest, who ventured to predict the 
speedy resuscitation of Tamehameha the Great, did more, 
by this act of unwary superstition, to break the spell which 
bound the people of the Islands to the worship of the 
Etuahs, than the king, with all his power, had found it 
