into the extent of common ignorance and indifference.--E.

[10] As this circumstance, of their _singing in parts_, has been much
doubted by persons eminently skilled in music, and would be
exceedingly curious if it were clearly ascertained, it is to be
lamented that it cannot be more positively authenticated.

Captain Burney, and Captain Phillips, of the marines, who both have a
tolerable knowledge of music, have given it as their opinion, that
they did sing in parts; that is to say, that they sung together in
different notes, which formed a pleasing harmony.

These gentlemen have fully testified, that the Friendly Islanders
undoubtedly studied their performances before they were exhibited in
public; that they had an idea of different notes being useful in
harmony; and also, that they rehearsed their compositions in private,
and threw out the inferior voices, before they ventured to appear
before those who were supposed to be judges of their skill in music.

In their regular concerts each man had a bamboo, which was of a
different length and gave a different tone; these they beat against
the ground, and each performer, assisted by the note given by this
instrument, repeated the same note, accompanying it by words, by which
means it was rendered sometimes short and sometimes long. In this
manner they sing in chorus, and not only produced octaves to each
other, according to their different species of voice, but fell on
concords, such as were not disagreeable to the ear.

Now, to overturn this fact, by the reasoning of persons who did not
hear these performances, is rather an arduous task. And yet there is