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highly interesting. We have pourtrayed it at some length, because such characters do not often come under our observation; and it is proper that we should know what men are and may be in a savage state, if we wish to judge with tolerable accuracy of the human character in a civilized state, and, by comparison of the two together, to approach to a better knowledge of human nature in the abstract; a science of all sciences the most truly interesting; a science to which all others are but auxiliary; and without which all others would be but vain subtleties, fatiguing in the pursuit, and unsatisfactory in the possession.

We come now to view the island of Vavaoo under the dominion of a man of a very different turn of mind; of a man whose intellect was of a very superior kind; and who, unlike his late father, was void of inordinate political ambition, and sought the happiness of his people, not the extension of his own power; an admirer of the arts, a philosopher among savages! But to shew better the contrast between the two, we need only mention, that, when the late king was not at his house, and it was necessary to seek for him, he was generally to be found at some public place, at some

VOL. I.

FF

other chief's house, or at the marly'; if the present king was wanted, he was to be found at the houses of carpenters, or canoe-builders, or else up in the country, inspecting some ground to be cultivated,

CHAP. XIV.

The large fortress of Felletoa rebuilt-The late king appears to Foonagi (a female chief) in a dream-The charm of Tattao-Tongamana arrives from the Hapai islands respecting the Inachi-Certain political views arising from this circumstance-Permission granted to Toobó Toa to come to Vavaoo to perform the usual ceremonies at Finow's grave-His conduct on this occasion-His astonishment at the warlike appearance of the new garrison-Arrival of Lolohea cow Kefoo from Hapai-Great storm of thunder and lightning; its effects on the minds of the people-Dreams of a number of women, predicting the death of Tooitonga-Illness of Tooitonga-The fingers of several children cut off as sacrifices to the gods -Several children strangled-Tooitonga's death-His burial-The king prepares himself to perform the usual ceremonies at his father's grave-Accident of Mr. Mariner's sneezing: his quarrel with the king on this account: his after conduct: their reconciliation.

Soon after the burial of the late king, Finow Fiji proposed to his nephew (the present king), to rebuild the large garrison at Felletoa, which might serve as a strong and impenetrable fortification, in case of attack from a foreign enemy: besides which, he justly observed, that the garrison, being rebuilt, it might

serve as a place of residence for all the chiefs and great warriors; a measure in itself highly. political, as it would prevent the seditious from forming cabals and parties, which they might more easily do whilst the could under the could under the eyes of the king. But it was not proposed that they should reside constantly at the garrison, and, by that means, neglect their plantations in the 'country, but, that each should have a house built with the usual conveniences for his wife and family, within the fencing, to reside in at night, visiting his plantations during the day; or to retire to wholly, in case of invasion, civil commotion, and whenever the king should order him to do so. This proposal of Finow Fiji being assented to by the king, the former requested permission to have the sole management of laying out the plan, and to see it carried into effect, which the latter readily agreed to.

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During the time the garrison was being rebuilt, a circumstance happened which seemed to indicate that a conspiracy was on the eve of being formed, if not actually begun, and, as the circumstance alluded to is connected with a certain superstitious ceremony worthy of detail, we shall be particular in the description

of it, and give the account of it exactly as it happened.

Foonagi, the wife of Finow Fiji, and formerly the wife of Tymomangnoongoo (a great warrior, who acted a principal part in taking the Port au Prince), was a woman of uncom mon penetration and discernment, and, on that account, as well as from the circumstance of her being the daughter of a chief who was a friend of the late Finow's father, was highly regarded by the late king, and who attached himself to her so much, that it is supposed she lived with him as his mistress during the time that she was actually the wife of her first husband. She was a woman extremely religious, and universally respected, on account of her accurate knowledge respecting all religious ceremonies, on which subject she was frequently consulted by the chiefs; and, upon political subjects, Finow himself often con→ sulted her, for, in this, also, she stood eminent in the esteem of every one. To Finow she seemed as much attached as he to her; and, after his death, mourned his loss with a sorrow beyond the reach of comfort. She, above all others, was most attentive in decorating with flowers planted by her own hand, and, with the utmost solicitude, keeping in order the

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