Norwich bulletin., 1919-12-01

fine art and whose island home was an alluring Eden before the white man came
 ITO describe the dainty, graceful Marquesanne as she unquestionably was will. l fear, lay me open to the charge of exaggeration," writes MT. Church
 When women possess beautiful, luXuriant hair, fine eyes. perfect teeth, slender, graceful form, skin of vel vet texture and unblemished surface, and these physical attractions are com bined with a vivacity of spirit and &C., tion, exaggeratien becomes difficult; and unless all chroniclers of the isl- ands have for several centuries agreed to deceive the world, such was the Marquesanne: and so she is today when sickness has not diminished her charm.
 T doubt seriously if more carefree or contented maiden ever existed. Her domestic duties were light and agree able. The furnishings of her matched shelter consisted of a few pandanus sleeping mats-nothing more. Outside on the stone platform was an assert- ment of bowls, crudely carved by the ! men. in their intervals from warfare. l These held popipoi, fish, fruit, or what 1 ever of food might be prepared for the one daily meal.
 Then sthere were dainty coconut | shells ground thin and polished by rubbing on stone under water. often
 carved which held the COCO oil and | other preparations for the toilet, dear ! to the heart of the Marquesanne.
 q have mentioned the use of coco oil by the Marquesans. Probably no
 race ever attained a greater skill in the
 art of massage--c certainly none ever
 practieed it more constantly. The oil was obtained by filling large wooden bowls with the meat of broken coco I nuts and placing them in the sun. Into the oil thus drawn the intensely fragr- ant blossoms of pua or the seeds of the spicy. aromatic lime were thrown scenting it with delightful perfume. Men and women alike were daily lmassaged with this scented oil, every muscle being gently manipulated with la skill seldom found in a modern masseuse. Usually two or three hours
 were required for the operation. Al its conclusion the skin was like velvet
 in texture, without a trace of oiliness
 They treated their hair in similar
 manner, and the wonderful luxuriant
 tresses were probably due to the at
 tention given them in the use of coco oil and massage.
 Beyond the preparation of the sin
 gle daily meal, her massage, and sucl
 tappa or mat making as desire ol
 necessity prompted, the life of tn, Marquesanne was devoted entirely tt pleasure. The quiet bays and turnbl ing streams made ideal bathing places and warrior and maiden alike wer'
 alm6st amphibious. Even the babie lwere taught to swim before they coult twalk alone.
 Like all Polynesians, they wer i passionately fond of flowers, and man,
 of their hours were spent in deftl,
 weaving blossoms. leaves, and fern into Wreaths and necklaces to be wor 7 during the day by their men and them selves.
 Both men and women were elabor l ately tatooed. The amount of deeora 5 ton varied according to rank, addi l tiens to the original designs often be 7 ing made later in life; but always tn legs were tattooed from ankle to thigl l l and necklaces and bracelets were wor : on the arms and threats of the maid : ems
 e Much of the ornamentation of tn g women resembled fine work, ans g as their skins were usually a ligf ] brown, some of them about the shad