"side, and having stood in the same posture "there, for the same short time, retreated from "the ground as fast as when he made his appearance. The dancers, who had divided "into two parties, kept repeating something "slowly; and now advanced, and joined again,

66

ending with universal applause. It should "seem that this dance was considered as one "of their capital performances, if we might judge from some of the principal people being engaged in it; for one of their drums was beat by Futtafaihe, the brother of Pou

66

66

66

laho, another by Feenow, and the third, "which did not belong to the chorus, by Ma"reewagee himself, at the entrance of his hut*.

"It is with regret I mention that we could "not understand what was spoken, while we "were able to see what was acted in these "amusements. This, doubtless, would have "afforded us much information as to the ge"nius and customs of these people. It was

It must here be noticed that it is a difficult matter to beat these drums properly, consequently it is considered a great accomplishment, and never practised by the lower orders: it must also be observed, that whenever among the dancers there are principal chiefs, as, no doubt, there were on the above occasion; the drums are always beaten by persons of the first consequence.

66

“observable, that though the spectators always approved of the various motions when well "made, a great share of the pleasure they re"ceived seemed to arise from the sentimental

66

part, or what the performers delivered in their "speeches. However, the mere acting part, independently of the sentences repeated, was "well worth our notice, both with respect to "the extensive plan in which it was executed, "and to the various motions, as well as the "exact unity with which they were performed. "Neither pencil nor pen can describe the nu"merous actions and motions, the singularity of "which was not greater than was the ease and gracefulness with which they were performed. "In expectation of this evening show, the "circle of natives about our tent being pretty large, they engaged in wrestling and boxing : "the first of which exercises they call fangatooa,

66

66

* All the dances where the paddle is used are borrowed from the natives of the islands of Neuha (Cocos island, and Traitor's island), situated between Vavaoo and Hamoa (the Navigator's islands). The accompanying songs are in the language of Hamoa, whence the people of Neuha have borrowed them, and both dances and songs have been thus adopted at Tonga; but as very few of the Tonga people understand the Hamoa language, it is presumed that the applause of the people on the above occasion was not excited by the sentiment, but by the music and general performance.

"and the second foohoo. When any of them "chooses to wrestle, he gets up from one side "of the ring, and crosses the ground in a "sort of measured pace, clapping smartly on "the elbow joint of one arm, which is bent, and "produces a hollow sound; that is reckoned the

challenge. If no person comes out from the

opposite side to engage him, he returns in "the same manner, and sits down; but some"times stands clapping in the midst of the

66

ground, to provoke some one to come out. If "an opponent appear, they come together with "marks of the greatest good nature, generally "smiling, and taking time to adjust the piece of "cloth which is fastened round the waist. They "then lay hold of each other by this girdle, with "a hand on each side, and he who succeeds in "drawing his antagonist to him, immediately "tries to lift him upon his breast, and throw him "upon his back; and if he be able to turn round "with him two or three times in that position, "before he throws him, his dexterity never fails "of procuring plaudits from the spectators. If

66

they be more equally matched, they close "soon, and endeavour to throw each other by "entwining their legs, or lifting each other "from the ground; in which struggles they "shew a prodigious exertion of strength, every

66

"muscle, as it were, being ready to burst with "straining. When one is thrown, he immedi"ately quits the field: but the victor sits down "for a few seconds, then gets up, and goes to "the side he came from, who proclaim the victory aloud, in a sentence delivered slowly, "and in a musical cadence. After sitting a "short space, he rises again and challenges, "when sometimes several antagonists make "their appearance; but he has the privilege of choosing which of them he pleases, to wrestle "with; and has likewise the preference of challenging again, if he should throw his adversary, until he himself be vanquished; " and then the opposite side sing the song of "victory in favour of their champion. It also "often happens, that five or six rise from each "side, and challenge together: in which case "it is common to see three or four couple en"gaged on the field at once. But it is astonish

66

66

ing to see what temper they preserve in this "exercise for we observed no instances of their

leaving the spot with the least displeasure in "their countenances. When they find that they "are so equally matched as not to be likely to "throw each other, they leave off by mutual consent. And if the fall of one is not fair,

66

66

or if it does not appear very clearly who has

"had the advantage, both sides sing the victory, "and then they engage again; but no person "who has been vanquished can engage with "his conqueror a second time*.

66

"The boxers advance sideways, changing "the side at every pace, with one arm stretched fully out before, the other behind; and holding a piece of cord in one hand, which they wrap firmly about it when they find an an

66

66

66

tagonist, or else have done so before they "enter. This I imagine they do to prevent a "dislocation of the hand or fingers. Their "blows are directed chiefly to the head, but "sometimes to the sides; and are dealt out " with great activity. hey shift sides, and "box equally well with both hands. But one "of their favourite and most dexterous blows "is, to turn round on their heel just as they "have struck their antagonist, and to give him "another very smart one with the other hand, "backward.

"The boxing matches seldom last long; and "the parties either leave off together, or one acknowledges his being beat. But they never "sing the song of victory in these cases, unless

66

*Nor with any body else in wrestling, but he may box with any one if he had been beaten in boxing, he could not on the same occasion box again: but he might wrestle.