The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1920-02-11

came.
ITO describe the dainty, graceful
MarQuesannc. as she unquestionably
was, will, I fear, lay me open to the
charge Of exaggeration," writes Mr..
Church.
Attractions Beyond Compare.
"When a woman possesses beauti.
full, %luxuriant hair, fine eyes, perfect
teeth, a slender, graceful form, a skin
Of velvet texture and unblemished sur
face, and these physical attractions
are combined with a vivacity Of spirit
and action ~exaggeration becomes diff
cult and unless all chroniclers Of the
islands 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. e.
II doubt seriously IL a more carefree
or. c0ntented maiden ever existed. Her
domestic duties were light and agree
able. The furnishings of her matched
shelter consisted of a few p%andanus
sleeping mats-nothing more. Outside
o the stone platform was an assort-
ment Of bowls, crudely carved by the
men in their intervals from warfare.
These held poipoi, fish, fruit or what
ever Of food might be prepared for the
only daily meal.
'aThen there were dainty c0conut
shells. ground thin and polished by
rubbing on stone under water, often
carved, which held the coco oil and
other preparations tor the toilet, dear
to the heart Of the Marquesanne.
II have mentioned the use Of coco
oil by the Marduesans. Probably no
race ever attained q greater skill in
the art Of massage-certainly none
ever practfced 1t more constantly. The
oil was obtained by filling large wood.
en- bowls with the meat Of broken co
conuts and placing them in the sun.
Into the oil thus drawn the intensely
fragrant blossoms Of qua or the seeds
Of the spicy, aromatic lime were
thrown, scenting it with a delightful
perfume.
40 MUCH Time spent u 0tIeS.
"Men and women alike were daily
massaged with this scented oil, every
muscle being gently manipulated, with
q skill seldom found in a modern mas
seuse. Usually. two Or three hours
were required for the operation, At
it's conclusion the skin was like velvet
In texture, without d trace Of oiliness.
They treated their hair In a 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 such
tappa or mat making as desire or ne
cessity prompted, the life of the Mar
~duiesanne was devoted entirely to
pleasure.
"The marriage Of the Marquesans
maiden to- the youth Of her choice was
an interesting ceremony. A home for
their occupation was built. by their
friends and the various necessities for
connubial happiness placed therein.
."sThe maiden was taken in charge by
several young matrons. to be mas
saged with perfumed oils and her hair
and body decorated with wreaths and
g,arlands Of. flowers. The youth was
consigned to the ministrations Of two.
older women. who rendered him a sim
liar service, besides smoking him thor
oughly with the fumes Of sandalwood.
AT the appointed time the scented and
garlanded pair were escorted by the
village to their fac, or hut, where the
king with much ceremony declared
them tapu for two weeks. &
.sFor the period Of the tapu none
might speak. to them or in any way
disturb their honeymoon. Food was
left each morning on their terrace. to-
gethser with baskets OF flowers to be:
woven into wreaths and garlands BY,
the happy coupll 3, NJ
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