Worshipped by the Inhabitants of the South Sea Islands.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY AND SCENERY OF THE
ISLANDS-WITH REMARKS ON THE HISTORY, MYTHOLOGY,
TRADITIONS, GOVERNMENT, ARTS, MANNERS,
AND CUSTOMS OF THE

INHABITANTS.

BY

WILLIAM ELLIS,

MISSIONARY TO THE SOCIETY AND SANDWICH ISLANDS, AND AUTHOR
OF THE 66 TOUR OF HAWAII."

"In so vast a field, there will be room to acquire fresh knowledge for centuries to
come, coasts to survey, countries to explore, inhabitants to describe, and perhaps to render
more happy."
COOKE.

IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.

LONDON:

FISHER, SON, & JACKSON, NEWGATE STREET,

4829

M,DCCC,XXIX.

Wb163/165

Bay isʊne Staatsbibliothek

MONCHEN

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAP. I.

Voyage to Raiatea-Appearance of the coral reefs-Breaking of the surf--

-Islets near the passage to the harbours-Landing at Tipaemau-

Description of the islands-Arrival at Vaóaara-Singular reception-

Native salutations-Improvement of the settlement-Traditionary con-

nexion of Raiatea with the origin of the people-General account of the

South Sea Islanders-Physical character, stature, colour, expression, &c.

Mental capacity, and habits-Aptness to receive instruction-Moral

character--Hospitality-Extensive and affecting moral degradation-Its

enervating influence-Longevity-Comparative numbers of the inhabit-

ants--Indications and causes of depopulation-Beneficial tendency of

Christianity.
Page 1 to 36.

CHAP. II.

Origin of the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands-Traditions-Legend of

Taaoroa and Hina-Resemblance to Jewish history-Coincidences in

language, mythology, &c. with the language, &c. of the Hindoos and

Malays, Madagasse, and South Americans-Difficulty of reaching the

islands from the west-Account of different native voyages-Geogra-

phical extent over which the Polynesian race and language prevail-

Account of the introduction of animals-Predictions of their ancient pro-

phets relating to the arrival of ships-Traditions of the deluge, correspond-

ing with the accounts in sacred and profane writings. Page 37 to 63.

CHAP. III.

General state of society-Former modes of living-Proposed improvement

in the native dwellings-Method of procuring lime from the coral-rock

---First plastered houses in the South Sea Islands-Progress of improve-

ment-Appearance of the settlement-Described by Captain Gambier-

Sensations produced by the scenery, &c.-Irregularity of the buildings-

Public road-Effect on the surrounding country-Duration of native

habitations-Building for public worship-Division of public labour-

Manner of fitting up the interior-Satisfaction of the people-Chapel in

Raiatea-Native chandeliers-Evening services Page 64 to 89.

CHAP. IV.

Schools erected in Huahine-Historical facts connected with the site of the

former building-Account of Mai, (Omai)—His visit to England with

Captain Furneux-Society to which he was introduced-Objects of his

attention-Granville Sharp-His return with Captain Cook-Settlement

in Huahine-His subsequent conduct-Present proprietors of the Beritani

in Huahine-House for hidden prayer-Cowper's lines on Omai-Royal

Mission Chapel in Tahiti-Its dimensions, furniture, and appearance-

Motives of the king in its erection-Description of native chapels-Need

of clocks and bells-Means resorted to for supplying their deficiency—

Attendance on public worship-Habits of cleanliness-Manner of

wearing the hair Process of shaving-Artificial flowers - Native

Page 90 to 119.

toilet.

CHAP. V.

Improved circumstances of the females-Instruction in needlework-Intro-

duction of European clothing-Its influence upon the people-Frequent

singularity of their appearance-Development of parental affection

-Increased demand for British manufactures-Native hats and bonnets

-Reasons for encouraging a desire for European dress, &c.-Sabbath

in the South Sea Islands-Occupations of the preceding day-Early

morning prayer-meetings-Sabbath schools-Order of divine service-

School exercises-Contrast with idolatrous worship. Page 120 to 148.

CHAP. VI.

Public assemblies during the week-Questional and conversational meeting

-Topics discussed-The seat of the thoughts and affections-Duty of

prayer-Scripture biography and history-The first parents of mankind

-Paradise-Origin of moral evil-Satanic influence-A future state-

Condition of those who had died idolaters-The Sabbath-Inquiries

respecting England-The doctrine of the resurrection-Visits to Maeva

—Description of the aoa-Legend connected with its origin―Considered

sacred-Cloth made with its bark-Manufacture of native cloth-Variety

of kinds-Methods of dyeing-Native matting-Different articles of

household furniture

Page 149 to 184.

CHAP. VII.

Station at Maeva-Appearance of the lake and surrounding scenery-

Ruins of temples, and other vestiges of idolatry-General view of Poly-

nesian mythology—Ideas relative to the origin of the world-Polytheism

-Traditionary theogony-Taaroa supreme deity-Different orders of

gods-Oro, &c. gods of the wind, the ocean, &c.-Gods of artificers and

fishermen--Oramatuas, or demons-Emblems-Images-Uru, or fea-

thers-Temples-Worship-Prayers-Offerings-Sacrifices-Occasional

and stated festivals and worship-Rau-mata-vehi-raa Maui-fata-Rites

for recovery from sickness-Offering of first-fruits-The Pae Atua-The

ripening of the year, a religious ceremony-Singular rites attending its

Page 185 to 218.

close

CHAP. VIII.

Description of Polynesian idols-Human sacrifices-Anthropophagism-

Islands in which it prevails-Motives and circumstances under which it

is practised-Tradition of its existence in Sir Charles Sanders' Island

-Extensive prevalence of Sorcery and Divination-Views of the natives

on the subject of satanic influence-Demons-Imprecations-Modes of

incantation-Horrid and fatal effects supposed to result from sorcery—

Impotency of enchantment on Europeans-Native remedies for sorcery-

Native oracles-Means of inspiration-Effects on the priest inspired—

Manner of delivering the responses-Circumstances at Rurutu and Hua-

hine-Intercourse between the priest and the god-Augury by the death

of victims-Divination for the detection of theft Page 219 to 241.

CHAP. IX.

Increased desire for books-Application from the blind-Account of Hiro,

an idolatrous priest-Methods of distributing the Scriptures-Dangerous

voyages-Motives influencing to desires for the Scriptures-Character

of the translation-Cause of delay in baptizing the converts-General

view of the ordinance--Baptism of the king-Preparatory instructions-

First baptism in Huahine--Mode of applying the water-Introduction