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- CHAPTER XLIX.
SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED
We have glanced at their moral and religious condition; let us see how
it is with them socially, and in other respects.
It has been said that the only way to civilize a people is to form in
them habits of industry. Judged by this principle, the Tahitians are
less civilized now than formerly. True, their constitutional indolence
is excessive; but surely, if the spirit of Christianity is among them,
so unchristian a vice ought to be, at least, partially remedied. But
the reverse is the fact. Instead of acquiring new occupations, old ones
have been discontinued.
As previously remarked, the manufacture of tappa is nearly obsolete in
many parts of the island. So, too, with that of the native tools and
domestic utensils; very few of which are now fabricated, since the
superiority of European wares has been made so evident.
This, however, would be all very well were the natives to apply
themselves to such occupations as would enable them to supply the few
articles they need. But they are far from doing so; and the majority
being unable to obtain European substitutes for many things before made
by themselves, the inevitable consequence is seen in the present
wretched and destitute mode of life among the common people. To me so
recently from a primitive valley of the Marquesas, the aspect of most
of the dwellings of the poorer Tahitians, and their general habits,
seemed anything but tidy; nor could I avoid a comparison, immeasurably
to the disadvantage of these partially civilized islanders.
In Tahiti, the people have nothing to do; and idleness, everywhere, is
the parent of vice. “There is scarcely anything,” says the good old
Quaker Wheeler, “so striking, or pitiable, as their aimless, nerveless
mode of spending life.”
Attempts have repeatedly been made to rouse them from their
sluggishness; but in vain. Several years ago, the cultivation of cotton
was introduced; and, with their usual love of novelty, they went to
work with great alacrity; but the interest excited quickly subsided,
and now, not a pound of the article is raised.
About the same time, machinery for weaving was sent out from London;
and a factory was started at Afrehitoo, in Imeeo. The whiz of the
wheels and spindles brought in volunteers from all quarters, who deemed
it a privilege to be admitted to work: yet, in six months, not a boy
could be hired; and the machinery was knocked down, and packed off to
Sydney.
It was the same way with the cultivation of the sugar-cane, a plant
indigenous to the island; peculiarly fitted to the soil and climate,
and of so excellent a quality that Bligh took slips of it to the West
Indies. All the plantations went on famously for a while; the natives
swarming in the fields like ants, and making a prodigious stir. What
few plantations now remain are owned and worked by whites; who would
rather pay a drunken sailor eighteen or twenty Spanish dollars a month,
than hire a sober native for his “fish and tarro.”
It is well worthy remark here, that every evidence of civilization
among the South Sea Islands directly pertains to foreigners; though the
fact of such evidence existing at all is usually urged as a proof of
the elevated condition of the natives. Thus, at Honolulu, the capital
of the Sandwich Islands, there are fine dwelling-houses, several
hotels, and barber-shops, ay, even billiard-rooms; but all these are
owned and used, be it observed, by whites. There are tailors, and
blacksmiths, and carpenters also; but not one of them is a native.
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