CHAPTER III.

CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP.

1840.

BEFORE proceeding to the narration of the operations of the squadron in the Feejee Group, it would appear expedient to give some account of the people who inhabit the islands of which it is composed. A reader, unacquainted with their manners and customs, can hardly appreciate the difficulties with which the performance of our duties was attended, or the obstacles which impeded our progress. Our information, in relation to the almost unknown race which occupies the Feejee Group, was obtained from personal observation, from the statements of the natives themselves, and from white residents. I also derived much information from the missionaries, who, influenced by motives of religion, have undertaken the arduous, and as yet unprofitable task of introducing the light of civilization and the illumination of the gospel into this benighted region.

Although, as we shall see, the natives of Feejee have made considerable progress in several of the useful arts, they are, in many respects, the most barbarous and savage race now existing upon the globe. The intercourse they have had with white men has produced some effect on their political condition, but does not appear to have had the least influence in mitigating the barbarous ferocity of their character. In this group, therefore, may be seen the savage in his state of nature; and a comparison of his character with that of the natives of the groups in which the gospel has been profitably preached, will enable our readers to form a better estimate of the value of missionary labours, than can well be acquired in any other manner.

The Feejeeans are generally above the middle height, and exhibit a great variety of figure. Among them the chiefs are tall, well-made,

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and muscular; while the lower orders manifest the meagerness arising from laborious service and scanty nourishment. Their complexion lies, in general, between that of the black and copper-coloured races, although instances of both extremes are to be met with, thus indicating a descent from two different stocks. One of these, the copper-coloured, is no doubt the same as that whence the Tongese are derived.*

None of them equal the natives of Tonga in beauty of person. The faces of the greater number are long, with a large mouth, good and well-set teeth, and a well-formed nose. Instances, however, are by no means rare, of narrow and high foreheads, flat noses, and thick lips, with a broad short chin; still, they have nothing about them of the negro type. Even the frizzled appearance of the hair, which is almost universal, and which at first sight seems a distinct natural characteristic, I was, after a long acquaintance with their habits, inclined to ascribe to artificial causes. Besides the long bushy beards and mustaches, which are always. worn by the chiefs, they have a great quantity of hair on their bodies. This, with the peculiar proportion between their thighs and the calves of their legs, brings them nearer to the whites than any of the Polynesian races visited by us.

The eyes of the Feejeeans are usually fine, being black and penetrating. Some, however, have them red and bloodshot, which may probably be ascribed to ava drinking.

The expression of their countenances is usually restless and watchful; they are observing and quick in their movements.

The hair of the boys is cropped close, while that of the young girls is allowed to grow. In the latter it is to be seen naturally arranged in tight cork-screw locks, many inches in length, which fall in all directions from the crown of the head. The natural colour of the hair of the girls can hardly be ascertained, for they are in the habit of acting upon it by lime and pigments, which make it white, red, brown, or black, according to the taste of the individual. Mr. Drayton procured a very correct camera lucida drawing of a girl about sixteen years of age, which will give the reader a better idea of the females of that age than any description: she is represented in the cut.

When the boys grow up, their hair is no longer cropped, and great pains is taken to spread it out into a mop-like form. The chiefs, in particular, pay great attention to the dressing of their heads, and for this purpose all of them have barbers, whose sole occupation is the care of their masters' heads. The duty of these functionaries is held

* The question of the origin of the Feejeeans will be found ably illustrated in the report of our philologist, Mr. Hale.