Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-14

moved the dinner is cooked to a turn. A
chicken is always roasted without its head
and claws being removed. The head is laid
on the breast and the claws are drawn over
so as to clasp it down, and when the fowl
is served up juicy and hot II looks as IL II
had died peaceable death.
Fish is generally eaten raw, with sauce
made of grated cocoanutS and lines. The
idea may seem barbarous, but the dish is
very palatable; still it must be remem-
bered that the fish caught around Tahiti.
where the sea is transparent for many
fathoms. different from the fish OF the
dull green waters of the Atlantic.
Tables there are unknown, and the feast
is spread on the ground on cloth of fresh
green leaves. The diners sit on mats tailor
fashion if possible). surrounding the feast.
The head of the family thanks God in FER
vent words for the bounty-a custom never
forgotten in this far-away isle-and then a
black-eyed girl passes around with an arm
full of wreaths of red and yellow flowers,
and crowns each one before the meal is
served. Knives and forks are practically
unknown. With a rib of the succulent
porker in one hand and a small raw nSh In
the other. some curried prawns spread out
on a leaf, with chicken wing, sice OF
taro and a collection of tropical fruits
awaiting their turn. and the unlocked
tabies of DelmOnico's become a Teasing
place for the unfavored.
The joys of Life.
The drink is the cool water of the young
[,
favored with a dash of black Tahiti rum.
After such meal there is nothing to 90
but to sleep. Sleep over, swim in the
river, then long walk into the mountains
or a sail in a canoe among the coral reefs.
Night in a native village is generally spent
in driving to some big swimming pool.
Swimming in the darkness is a peculiar yet
a pleasant paStime. Or else the villagers
gather around and sitting in one big group,
sing for hours and hours their native songs.
They have no musical instruments to add
the touches of harmony, and yet their
voices mingle beautifully in all the great
shades of song, from recurrent minors to
hundred chords. that they sound like
mighty human organ played without hands.
And this costs nothing. All this life
of idleness, pleasure, good food, love and
music is simply the friendship of the Ia
hitian given to the visitor from the foreign
land. If he did take money what good
would it do him? What could he purchase
to add to his acme of idealism which his
going away simply whisper ''Maruru'-''
thank you If you want to particularly
honor your host just kiss his wife and all
his daughters, and pat the sleek coat of his
mosquito-bitten dog. Flowers and songs
follow you you drive back to Papeete
Other natives come to meet you by the road
side and ask you to stop and accept their
hospitality also with hopeful smiles Who
would not? Who wants to leave paradise
once paradise is gained?
AS the white brig starts homeWard TO this
land of struggles and strife and money as
evening falls and the setting sun turns the
sea to crimson, the tall peaks of Tahiti
loom up grandly against a background of
amber ana gold. The cocoanut palms are
SiIhouetted against the sky: the stars begin
to twinkle the moon casts its early SHIN
merfng rays across the water and Tahiti
fades in the darkness