234 PASSION OF THE NATIVES head the feathered helmet, and other decorations of the ear and neck of a warrior: the cap and plumage being of a height equal to all the rest of his figure. Above his girdle, was a full sash of white cloth, tied in a large bow with long ends in front; and from it four white cords of platted tapa, two behind and two before, descended to the knee, each terminating in monstrous tassels of black hair, fastened to flat circular pieces of wood, whitened with pipe clay. His waist, wrists, and ancles, were also hung with the same, and in either hand he held a small tuft of white. The head dress of the other was a bandeau of white cloth, in a thick roll over the forehead; and above this, a wreath of black feathers, surmounted by a high ornament of white tapa gathered into folds at the frontlet, and spreading above into a large cockade in the shape of a peacock's tail: the whole having an airy and tasteful appearance. His necklace was composed of alternate bunches of a brightly shining aromatic. vine, and the flower of the cape jessamine; while his maro, of the purest white, arranged in neat folds, was intertwined with garlands of the same. The dance ceased at the end of twenty or thirty minutes; and a company of young females, forty or fifty in number, seated on an adjoining and elevated platform, began singing, in the dull and monotonous repetitions of the same intonations of voice characterizing all their songs, accompanied by a loud and simultaneous clapping of the hands, brought together in a manner to produce a very peculiar sound. An inquiry into the meaning of this, made us acquainted with the occasion of the present celebration. The learning of a new set of songs had been en FOR THESE EXHIBITIONS. 235 joined some months previous on these girls, and they were placed under certain restrictions of the tabu till it should be accomplished. This had now been done, and the dance was held in commemoration of it. It was only of a common kind, and not of sufficient interest to attract the great multitude that often assemble, as we are told, at some of the more distinguished. These exhibitions are known by the general name of koika. They are celebrated on a great variety of occasions, but the most noted are those which take place at the ingathering of the bread-fruit harvests; and at a ratification of peace, when two or more tribes have been at war. Such is the passion of the people for the amusement, that to enjoy it, they not only make the longest and most fatiguing journeys from all parts of an island, carrying their food and suffering the greatest inconvenience, but not unfrequently hazard their lives by voyages in their wretched boats to other islands; besides being exposed, while there, to murder, in the conflicts which almost invariably arise among parties from different tribes, at their close, and in which all are obliged, on one side or the other, to take part. The singers by profession, called kaioi, are the poets and composers, as well as performers of the songs sung on these occasions. The subjects are various, often furnished by some passing event, such as the arrival of a ship, or any less novel incident; and not unfrequently, like ballads in our own country, the songs become extensively fashionable and popular, and are sung in private by all classes. In almost every instance, language and allusions of the most objectionable character, as is the case every day in their ordinary conversation, are introduced; and many are abominable, almost beyond belief. I was too much occupied with my pencil to pay very particular attention to the words now repeated; and from previous knowledge on this subject, was well satisfied to remain ignorant of them. Before they had concluded, the throng around became so annoying in their rudeness, and every appearance indicated such a disposition to utter licentiousness, that the charm at first felt from the novelty and wild beauty of the scene, was speedily broken; and accompanied by one or two others, and soon followed by all the party, I began gladly to retrace my way to the ship. A principal object, on my part, in making the excursion was to see pure heathenism-heathenism as it is before one ray of Christian light has beamed upon its darkness-that I might, from the observation of my own eyes, testify to its true character: and that object has been, I can assure you, dear H——————, most fully answered. Before the grossness of one half that was forced upon me had passed in view, I was compelled in the thoughts of my very soul to exclaim, "Stop-it is enough!" but I had gone beyond the point of escape, and the whole truth in its abominable details was riveted upon me. There was less of licentiousness in the dance than I had expected; but in a hundred things else there were such open outrages on all decency, that I hurried away in a horror of disgust, with a heart too much humbled for the race to which I belong, and too much depressed at the depravity and guilt of man, to think or feel upon any other subject. At first, I could scarce find spirits to interchange a word with my companions, but hastened on before, or fell far behind, that the oppression within me might escape their notice. So completely was I prostrated, that for the first time in my life I believe, not in a spirit of rebellion I trust, but with a feeling of deep anguish, I looked to heaven and exclaimed, "Oh! why-why was sin ever permitted to enter a world otherwise so fair! why has it been allowed to mar the highest glory of man, till in all countries and among all classes, it in too many instances degrades him to the level of the brute !”Thou, O God, knowest, for with thee is all wisdom; and blessed be thy name, with thee too are all goodness and all truth, and "justice and judgment are ever the habitations of thy throne!" LETTER XXVIII. FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS DISTINCTIONS. Bay of Taiohae, at Nukuhiva, CAPTAIN FINCH and a party of the officers left the ship early this morning, for a visit by water, to a valley called Taioa, four or five miles to the leeward of this port. The first division of our crew, forty in number, are also on shore on liberty; but the day being very wet and showery, with strong puffs of wind from the mountains, I shall myself remain on board ship, to "hana paa," as the natives say, or "make fast" some information respecting this group of which I have gained possession, by other channels than the mere observation of the eye. 238 TITLE AND POWER OF THE CHIEFS. That which I will first notice, is the marked difference in the character of the government and political economy here, and at the Hawaiian and Tahitian Islands. The well organized form of monarchy, so conspicuous and so well defined in all its details in the last nations, has no existence in this; and instead of the regular gradations of rank, from the peasant and fisherman to the king, with appropriate honors and immunities, as found in them, the only civil distinction known here, is unconnected, both in appearance and reality, with much either of dignity or power. The hereditary title "Hekaiki," common to all the tribes, whatever its interpretation may be, "head," "leader," "prince," or "king," secures to its possessor few of the prerogatives of chieftainship: the highest power attaching to it, being less than that of a Scottish laird of yore, in his highland clan. It is unaccompanied by any privilege of jurisdiction, or any power of levying a tax, or of commanding a personal service in others; and thus extending neither to the rights of property nor of person, the influence of the individual distinguished by it, appears to be more like that of a highborn and wealthy citizen, respected and popular in the community in which he resides, than that of a prince or lord over the subjects or slaves of an uncontrolled dominion. If the chief desires any article of food or property in the possession of a common islander, he must seek it as a voluntary gift, or by barter, without reference to rank or title; and if he needs assistance in any piece of work, in building a new house, inclosing a piece of ground, or gathering a bread-fruit harvest, he can secure it only in the way customary among private in |