The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-10-05


Tbs or up on & or en-, and he flowers ..a
That are brought every morning TO me.
Islands Of the PscIn, ---Iatere-tI"R
FACES About sands aud People that
are Little Known.
Captain Simpson, who has been exploring
the Pacific Ocean for the past five years,
has lately delivered most inter, sting lee
lure in Engla upon the islands and the
populations wn'cn he VISITED in his travels.
He has given very curious details about the
Saloman Islands about which very little is
known. 1t has been believed by Darwin
and other sages that all these islands were
once united and formed continent. Some
OF them were coral, Others basalts or of vol
cAnic formation. Several of them are sur
rounded by coral reefs of 300 or 400 miles,
in the interior OF which are four or five large
islands. The real volcanic islands have
reefs very near their shores. All the sea
between New Glinea and Australia being
on a single bottom level, anchor may be
sunk In any place, and there is no doubt
that these countries were once united.
These islands are inhabited by two distinct
races, Though there are a great variety of
inhabitants. One is that pc pie which i'll
habits the Caroline. Marshall, and Gilbert
and generally black hair. The other are
the Papuans, race with woolly and crisped
hair. The Tongans, the New Zealanders,
and the SamOans are m Xtures of the two
races. According to a tradition Of the New
Zealanders, they came Ell her from Samoa or
from Tonga. The people of these islands
are expert navigators. They sometimes
start I, II for SIX months in n fl ,tlla OF
canoes, and travel several hundred miles in
that manner. Upon o. e of the SalOman
islands Captain Simpson met seven men and
four or five women, who had started in
canoes upon voyage Of ], 400 miles. AT
the Strong Islands he saw one of the most
astonishing constructions in the world it
is of stone, twenty feet in length, roughly
hewn, and is surrounded by immense tren-
ches. He questioned the tribes of this
island in VAIN upon the traditions of the
country. The island is inhabited by de-
generate race. The connection of the
islanders with the Europeans is very disad
vantsgeous to the former; they have con-
tracted habits of dTunkenn,ss aud other
vices, which has caused rapid depopula-
tion. Ten years ago the Strong Island had
1000 inhabitants; in 1874 they were reduced
to $50. The islanders are very simple and
quiet In their ways. ..
When Capt. Simpson visited the house OF
the King, he found his wife, a charming
little woman, seated before an embroidery
stand. She spoke English very well, and
was very affable and polite; but later, when
he bought -four cows for his ships, he noticed
that one OF them was that of the wife of
the American missionary, aud that it had
been stolen by his Majesty. Upon the
neighboring island he was struck with the
difference between the two people. Upon
this island, one mile and a half in length
and one mile in width, and which is of
stone. he found 1000 inhabitants, and he
attributes this fact To the isolation in which
they live, far from all white people. They
are very inoffenslve, and have never even
seen man-of-war. A pirate, in whose pur-
suit the captain had been sent, paid pen
sion TO the chief as long as he needed it,
and they lived on the best understanding.
The Inhabitants own a great many tortoises,
weighing AS much as 800 pounds apiece,
and which they willingly part with for a
pinch OF tobacco. They are of u far more
robust temperament than those who have
been in continual relations with Europeans.
Can't. Simpson also visited the beautiful
island of Lugona, the inhabitants of which
are very simple. They are very black and
wear long hair. The men particularly pay
great attention to their hair, ana delight IN
orpamenting il with flowers. Women wear
theirs short, and are NOT allowed u appear
In public. The captain saw savages ON an
other island. Houkadudus, of the same race
a. those If Lugona who " uld not allow
white people IA land upon Il e shores. The J
even attacked German brig which at
tempted tn approach them, but was obliged
20 fly, after having escaped from great
dangers.
Capt. Simpson landed during the night
time the savages were so frightened thai
they Immediately fed tn another island.
The captain mad, tour of the place ard
found thirty or forty canoes. He vainly
tried 10 approach the sevages by showing
them presents uf pearl necklaces. mirrors
etc bur they could Mt mike up th,il
minds tn admu white psup'c Smcne then
These savages are am ST enIirey KIDD
Their arms are lances, sings, and stones
Capt. Simpson managed To get posse ssior
OF an earring, which he took from the ear
OF a savage; it is sort { tor'ui-e-shel
chain, two yards in length. They bore grra
holes in their ears and alsn in the *, OF
their necks tn support the weigh 4 theft
earrings. The natives of the island If New
Hanover know nothing either OF tobaccO oT
OF Europeans. What Caused them the great
est establishment was fragment of an old
number of the Times newspaper. Anything
could be Obtained of them with piece OF
paper. He asked = savage II paper Was =
precious thing. ''0h, yes" he was an
swered; ''ths paper is worth several excel
lent womenr Upon the island OF New
Britain the inhabitants were very suspici Us
They even fired their jAvelins at Severely 81
the officers, who were Obliged to use then
firearms and to kill two or three. The cap-
tain then visited the SAloman Islands, 10
habited by cannibals. He saw row o
scalps IN the house of the chief, into whict
he managed TO penetrate. The most remark
able island in one particular is the Isabella
there the people live in the trees. The
cNSain saw the house of the chief, orna
mssd by twenty-five freshly-cut human
nes He asked the son Of the chief The
mos these executions. "Oh, there il
nons', answered 1--WE only set out
60 49, ,haf1s.n II is TO escape these mas
ons sish tssyages retire into trees, To
simpsou>pilies, Ia pass the nights
Gap Il was pNied into Que Of ihes
eanlAs nd uss reso Sat a heis 1T Of eigh,,
iee., IN has oronsnSS vine ladder Tn
captain Mus NJ i. rssstalAp' n this viae b.cl
Fssnen 'e ss,,sr. These ssSS AZ , ~
ss gel learned the u.s. ...Seativs
Ribbon cane :. :, n lsugth ssSsN