228 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
the return of the time when there was no law, 
and. every one followed his own_ inclinations. 
In Huahine, though they have been frequently 
violated, I do not think any attempt has been 
made to disannul them, since the one above 
alluded to. 
The South Sea Islanders are generally addicted 
to war. It occurred very frequently, prior to the 
introduction of Christianity. During the fifteen 
years Mr. Nott spent in the islands, while the 
people were pagans, the island of Tahiti was in- 
volved in actual war ten different times. The 
Missionaries were painfully familiar with it. It 
surrounded their dwellings; and the wounded in 
battle have often, with the wounds fresh and bleed- 
ing, repaired to their houses for relief. This, 
however, was the only time that I saw any thing 
like it, though we often heard its rumours. Re- 
ports of war have indeed been heard, especially at 
Tahiti—where, since the death of the late king, 
very powerful interests, and perhaps some latent 
feelings of ancient rivalship, have been brought 
into collision, and where the conduct of some, in 
the highest authority, has not been at all times the 
most honourable or conciliatory—but no actual 
hostility has yet existed. In the Leeward Islands, 
also, reports of war, and warlike preparations, have 
appeared—more particularly in reference to the 
bold and martial chieftain of Tahaa, and some of 
the restless spirits among the inhabitants of Bora- 
bora, once celebrated for their military prowess, 
and masters of most of the Leeward group put 
it has been only rumour. 
The transient affair at Huahine, in connexion 
with which these remarks have been introduced, 
and similar occurrences in Raiatea and Tahaa— 
