with their opinions, as well as with their habits and customs.
He seems to have been devoid of prejudices, theological or
other, and the impression of strict accuracy which his
statements convey has been justified by all the knowledge of
Polynesian life which has been subsequently acquired.

It is desirable, therefore, to pay close attention to that which
Mariner tells us about the theological views of these people:--


The human soul,<18> after its separation from the body, is
termed a hotooa (a god or spirit), and is believed to
exist in the shape of the body; to have the same propensities as
during life, but to be corrected by a more enlightened
understanding, by which it readily distinguishes good from evil,
truth from falsehood, right from wrong; having the same
attributes as the original gods, but in a minor degree, and
having its dwelling for ever in the happy regions of Bolotoo,
holding the same rank in regard to other souls as during this
life; it has, however, the power of returning to Tonga to
inspire priests, relations, or others, or to appear in dreams to
those it wishes to admonish; and sometimes to the external eye
in the form of a ghost or apparition; but this power of
reappearance at Tonga particularly belongs to the souls of
chiefs rather than of matabooles" (vol. ii. p. 130).


The word "hotooa" is the same as that which is usually spelt
"atua" by Polynesian philologues, and it will be convenient to
adopt this spelling. Now under this head of "Atuas or