The Polynesian., 1841-01-02
Vol. 4. No. 10.

cOnIliSntu l'llt great OnicCt, ana we
should not inquire whether they had been
equally successful in advancing the civiIi-
za,ion Of the Islanders. did we not consid-
cr that misrepresentation of their actua
state. rctards that civilization by prevent
ing the plilantlropic public from taking
tic most clirctual means to advance it.
We consider the moral and social state
of a people protesting the Christian reli-
zion to be inscparably connected with
that religion, and that industry as basis
Of virtue, forms the best foundation for
religion. Hasthc Tahitian become more
industrious: Is the condition of his do
mcstic economy better? Is he more hon.
est Is chastity more appreciated Does
ii feeling of charity and broihcrly love
prevail: Has the hospitality of their for
mcr state improved Is there better
spirit of disintcrcscd Justice, and a more
cl!Gctnal check to crime under the present
laws, than when at the Justice of the
chiefs Upon the result of these enqui-
rics will depend whether the people have
attained that degree of christian virtue
which the Author in his Narrative would
lead the public to suppose. The Tahiti
an Of the present day offers the most per-
feet picture of id!cncss. The former pa
lriarchal system is entirely broken up.
Instead of a number living together as
large family, under one head, where each
had an allotted occupation for the general
benefit, they are now scattered, and are
not as formerly, answcrable to the head
Of the family for the performance of fixed
duties: the fisherman, the canoe maker,
the cultivatcr of the soil, no longer consider
it a duty to follow the occupation of their
fathers, as formerly. All are left without
order and have become indolcnt and vi
cious; many suffer hunger rather than go
to the mountains to gather the wild plan
tain. or into their canoes to fish. The
miserable way that the Tahtians keep
life in their bodies now, compared with
the abundance of the time of Wallis and
Cook, argues but little for the improve
mont Of their domestic economy. The
contrast is stIl greater between the houses
at the time of their discovery and the
present ones. the wrctchedncss and filth
of which battles description. 1t is diff
cult to imagine people with the cleanl-
ness and order described by Cook, living
as they now do. The greater part of
(heir dwellings are sheds hardly fit for
swine, men, hogs. and dogs all under the
same roof, amidst filth, and damp, and de-
caycd vegetation. Some have a raised
bed place in this pcrlumcd apartment, while
others sleep on the ground. This change
iron their former habits OF order and
cleanliness is IA principal cause of increas-
cd disease, and is owing to sloth having
taken the place Of energy and industry.
The late Rev. Mr.. Orr's picture of the
fah'ian, given from the pulpit years ago,
ought TO make the writers of the account
from which he was led to deliver such a
sermon, blush for having SO imposed upon
his crcduliiy. OF the "Pretty, neat,
whtc-washcd cottages along the beach,
those that are now standing arc princi-
pail y inhabited by foreigners such houses
are not suited to native habits, they re-
Guiring irccr circulation of air. Houses
recdcd round are better adapted to their
customs. The natives at ltatea and some
other Islands that erected hOllSeS with