Volume 2

An account of the natives of the Tonga islands, in the south Pacific ocean. With an original grammar and vocabulary of their language / Compiled and arranged from the extensive communications of Mr. William Mariner, several years resident in those islands. By John Martin.

  • Mariner, William, 1791-1853.
Date:
[etc., etc.] 1827
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of the natives of the Tonga islands, in the south Pacific ocean. With an original grammar and vocabulary of their language / Compiled and arranged from the extensive communications of Mr. William Mariner, several years resident in those islands. By John Martin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ling out to the deceased to witness this proof of iiis love and fidelity, and declaring aloud that his sentiments towards his son were the same as those he formerly entertained towards him, notwith- standing that death had occasioned this seem- ing breach between them :—protesting how much he wished a perfect and friendly understanding with the Vavaoo people, that he might occa- sionally have the opportunity of preparing the cava for young Finow; and by such and other as- siduities prove his respect and loyalty towards his family. But since as he supposed the chiefs of Bo- lotoo had decreed otherwise, he should be con- tented to live at the Hapai Islands, and evince his remembrance of the deceased, by sending, in T011- ga-mana’s canoe, the produce of his own islands as presents to his son. This speech was followed by those of several of his party, all much in the same sentiment, and then, after bruising their heads, running spears and arrows through their cheeks, thighs, and breasts, they left the grave to attend to the cava of Finow. In the evening, Fi- now, Toobo Toa, and Finow Fiji had a short con- versation together, when Toobo Toa expressed his wish to be tributary to Vavaoo, notwithstanding it might still be thought politic, as long as any of Toobo Nuha’s near relations were living, to keep him and his people at a distance, acknowledging that such a separation was the only way of pre- serving peace between the two powers. Fie sta- ted, moreover, that with the view of keeping his own people from meditating either conspiracies a- gainst himself or wars against Vavaoo (which they would be sure to do if they remained long idle), he should turn his attention to the assistance of the garrison ol Hihifo at Tonga, which was upon