old, and as many young persons, whom they arranged in close order. The
young girls laid aside a part of their dress to exhibit their forms to
more advantage, and they commenced a kind of recitative, accompanied by
all manner of gesticulations, with a sort of guttural husk for a chorus.
It was not necessary to understand their language to comprehend their
meaning; and it is unnecessary to add, that their tastes did not appear
very refined, but were similar to what we have constantly observed among
the heathen nations of Polynesia. Their impatience now became
ungovernable; and hearing that the rice and sugar were being served out,
they retreated precipitately down the hill, where they all set to most
heartily, with their wives and children, to devour the food. This, to
me, was the most entertaining part of the exhibition. They did not
appear selfish towards each other; the children were taken care of, and
all seemed to enjoy themselves. I received many thanks in passing among
them, and their countenances betokened contentment. Although they were
clothed for the occasion in their best, they exhibited but a squalid and
dirty appearance, both in their dress and persons.

* * * * *

We now end our extracts from this very entertaining Work,--upon the
resources of which we have so largely drawn,--by the history of Paddy
Connel, as described by himself, and who had been a resident among the
Feejeean savages for nearly forty years.




HISTORY OF PADDY CONNEL.