Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-08-22

SHAKSPEhhE.
We ID NOT hesitate TO pronounce the con-
dition of these islanders, the most perfect
state of social existence. Indeed 1t so lar
transcends any thing ofreali,y before known
or heard of, that nothing less than the strong
evidence which accompanies il couId pro-
cure it one moments belief. So many So
cial virtues unalloyed by any counteroa-
lancing fault, would, from what we nave
been accustomed TO see among men, 'n'o"
upon the whole account an air OF romai'''o
fiction. Even that nice sensIpli''y anu
charming delivery hitherto supposed 10 oe
the exclusive charm of highly polished So
c;etv thew possess in degree unsuTpass-
ed, in their practice most stud'ous'y con-
forming TO its suggestions. Among null
ti,ude Of instances Of this, is the following
anecdote:
GA Young man belonging to the AIceste
had died. When the natives were informed
efthe circumstance, they requested pernls-
sion to make the grave, and begged cap
tain Maxwell to point out place Tor The
purpose. Captain NJ. said that no place
could be more appropriate than under the
grove of trees near the temple, spot al
ready rendered sacred by many Loo Choo
tombs. Next day the body was carried to
the grave with all the fornalites usual on
such occasions, captain Maxwell, according
TO custom, walking last, with the officers
and crew before him. The ready polite
ness OF the natives was never more strlk-
insly displayed than now for, perceving
that those who were of the highest rank
walked in the rear. they considered that
their station must of course be in front, and
they accordingly placed themselves at the
head of the procession, and preserved
throughout The ceremony the most profound
silence
That they are in no wise averse TO con-
VITALITY, or the pleasures of the bottle, as
we call it, and what is more TO their honor,
that they can indulge in it without sinking
into the brutal excess of savages, or of CT
vilized men worse than savages, as amongst
US, appears from the following:
"They were all in high spirits, and eat
and drank freely, and though they com
plainel Of the size of the glasses, and of the
siren. III of he wine, tasted e, cry hing from
punch ~ Champagne the briskness OF the
latter surprised them not a little, and efiec-
tually muddled two of them for some time
Cheese WAS the only thing they all objected
TO, probably on account of its hains ru"de
Of milk, which they never taste. The IN
terpreter not being present, the converse
ton was carried on through Mr.. Clifford
and MADEIRA, and partly by signs. MADE
RA has often dined on board ship, and was
quite perfect in our customs. On this occa-
sion he took charge OF the chiefs al his end
of the table, speaking sometimes in one lam
guage and sometimes in the other. OBJ
serving lEEMA eating ham without mustard,
he called to captain MaxwelPs serv mt, and
pointing to Ieema said, Tom, take mus
tard TO him.
"After sitting about an hour and half
after dinner, and drinking with toIer, bic
spirit, they rose 10 depart; but this they
were not allowed TO do, and they were in
formed that il was the English custom 10
sit much longer time. They represented
that the sun had set, and they would never
be able to find their way on shore. hut
wouldall be drowned in attempting it. This
alarming difficulty was easily over-rnled
by promise of the barge, and they sal
down again. Three or four bumbers made
the party very merry, and it was intirnated
to them, that IS all the usual formal',ies
had been observed, they might drink asmuch
as they liked, or pass the bottle altogether;
permission of which few of them took adj
vantage. They lighted their pipes, laugh
ed, joked, and seemed so happy, that it
was agreed on all hands that conviviality is
no where better understood than at Loo
Choo. AT er time, al our request, they
played some games, of which we had heard
them speak. Before leaving the cabin they
showed US Loo-Choo dance round the Ia
BILE: MADEIRA placed himself at the head
before Ookuoma, while the others ranged
themselves in line behind him he began
by song, the air of which was very pretty,
and nearly at the same time commenced
the dance, which consisted principally in
throwing the body into variety OF pos
TIRES, and twisting the hands about. Some
times the hands were placed fiat together,
at Others separate--hut generally the for
mer. The movements both OF the body
and hands, were regular and of waving
description In this way they went seve-
raj times round the table MADEIRA had
graceful carriage; and his dancing, though
fantastic was really elegant his singing too
was in good taste The Others danced
clumsily, though in perfect good time, and
Joined with some spirit in the chorus"
"The ship was Illuminated, and The sal
lors were dancing on the upper deck. Tie
chiefs were much pleased with this scene.
which was lively enough. After watching
the dance of the sailors for few minutes,
MADEIRA, who ito use common phrase),
was up to every thing, ran among the sal
lors, and seizing one by the shoulders, put