The National tribune., 1891-03-05

cheney, by articles woven from vegetable iber
by themselves.
Water and cocoanut milk form the only na-
tive beverages, bat the inhabitants Of all parts
OF these archipelagOes have manifested their
high appreciation Of the pleasures to be derived
from strong drink by getting intoxicated when
ever the opportunity for doing so presented
itself. In some parts of Micronesia the beard
is extiTpated, in others it is worn in full.
Tattooing is the fashion in certain islands.
while among tribes situated in different locali-
ties this is never practiced. The ear-lobes are
slit and dragged down by rings, and arm, neck
and ankle bands in vogue or absent in the
same uncertain and discOntinuOus way.
Many writers have expressed their disap-
proval Of the semi religious rite of tabu, tenn
pOrary or permanent prohibition Of things from
being either touched OF made use Of As these
matters usually stand, superstitions and what
we call absurdities are, no doubt, largely
mingled with this system Of interdict, as well
as with other details Of ceremonial government
in general. But like many similar institutions
this was founded upon the one hand, in expert
ence OF what was harmful and was otherwise
directed towards tho preservation of things
which without some safeguard would have
been destroyed.
IL had its saeredness from q true religious
sentiment german with the state in which the
savage endeavored to recommend himself 70
the favor and protection Of the only supernal
powers no was able 10 conceive Of and, upon
the whole. its benefits more than counter
balance any disadvantages which follow en-
forcement OF the prescribed restrictions. Mi
croncsians have been called "a degenerate
lava arc found in their islands which evidently
evinco the fact that builders once lived there
who have
LONG PASSED AWAY.
Briefly to characterize these islanders as q
race is inexact
The population consists of several races, none
Of which have been identified as tho architects
in question. Meanesia and Polynesia possess
like remains which arc also uncertainty OF
native origin. Oceanican history is very
largely a blank, and the fux aud re1ux Of
those peoples who have occupied II, the periods
Of theirsupromacy, their conditions ofexisteucs,
state OF development, and the vicissitudes which
il was their lot to experience, are alike unknown.
or the various ways in which it is possible 10
account for these relics OF the past, the author
is not aware Of any one which can be relied
upon with certainty.
These song aud dance loving indigines who
masquerade in the habilaments Of other races,
much resemble Polynesians in their religious
conceptions. They have a large collection OF
gods Of different grades, some OF whom are per-
soniied powers Of nature but tho majority
only ancestral spirits deiGed in various degrees
according To their remoteneSs aud the eminence
which their assumed tribal defendants have
attained.
Similarly with the Chinese, worship Of the
dead is the prevailing faith of the masses, but
as in other countries whose condition is analo-
gous. witchcraft and sorcery probably influence
them more powerfully than any persuasion OF
ghostly interference in their behalf. Christi
anty has effected some changes in mOrtuary
customs, in average behavior, and in expressed
opinions upon life aud death. Its influence is,
however, limited by the impossibility for any
ono 10 be Christian aud a savage at the same
time. Whether in finally converting them
these people may not. in accordance with the
result of usual methods, be at tho same time
civilized or the face Of the earth, remains to be
seen.