An Account of the Natives of the Tonga Islands in the South Pacific Ocean: With an Original Grammar and Vocabulary of Their Language, Bind 1

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author, and sold, 1817 - 872 sider

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Side 129 - If an axe or a chisel is worn out or broken up, away flies its soul for the service of the gods. If a house is taken down, or any way destroyed, its immortal part will find a situation on the plains of Bolotoo ; and, to confirm this doctrine, the Fiji people can show you a sort of natural well, or deep hole in the ground, at one of their islands, across the bottom of which runs a stream of water, in which you may clearly perceive the souls of men and women, beasts and plants, of stocks and stones,...
Side 302 - They made a circle round the chorus, turning their faces toward it, and began by singing a soft air, to which responses were made by the chorus in the same tone ; and these were repeated alternately. All this while, the women accompanied their song with several very graceful motions of their hands...
Side 116 - You shall be black, because your minds are bad, and shall be destitute. You shall not be wise in useful things, neither shall you go to the great land of your brothers. How can you go with your bad canoes ? But your brothers shall come to Tonga, and trade with you as they please.
Side 141 - ... which a man experiences within himself when he does any good action, or conducts himself nobly and generously, as a man ought to do :" and this question they answered as if they wondered that such a question should be asked.
Side 307 - ... an air so graceful, as might put to the blush our most applauded performers. He was answered in the same manner, by the person at the head of the opposite party. This being repeated several times, the whole body on one side joined in the responses to the whole corresponding body on the opposite side, as the semi-circle advanced to the front ; and they finished, by singing and dancing as they had begun. These two last dances were performed with so much spirit, and so great exactness, that they...
Side 159 - ... enervate the mind or debase the character of man, we shall take those ideas as the standard by which to judge them, and as far as they act consistently thereto we shall call them chaste, and as far as they infringe upon it we shall deem them offenders. But here it may be asked how are we to judge •whether their own notions upon this subject are consistent with the good order of society, &c.
Side 312 - At that instant two men entered very hastily, and exercised the clubs which they use in battle. They did this by first twirling them in their hands and making circular strokes before them with great force and quickness, but so skilfully managed that though standing quite close they never interfered. They...
Side 314 - ... that is, within the compass of a quarter of a mile; drawn together, for the most part, by mere curiosity. 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 genius and customs of these people. It was observable, that, though the spectators always approved of the various motions, when well made, a great share of the pleasure they received seemed...
Side 298 - During these intervals there were both wrestling and boxing matches. The first were performed in the same manner as at Otaheite, and the second differed very little from the method practised in England.
Side 186 - ... arms considerably extended, he brings his right hand towards his breast, moving it gradually onwards ; and whilst his left hand is coming...