Page:An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands.djvu/351

Rh THE TONGA ISLANDS. but, as it was so contrary to his general senti- ments and conduct, we ought to have the libe- rahty to suppose, that it was a sudden frenzy of the mind, which, at the moment, he could no more help, than a man in convulsions can help the violent agitation of the body. Let this, however, be as it may, it is certain that he and Booboonoo were both admired for their mild and benevolent disposition, and were gaining every day, more and more, the love of the people, which, no doubt, caused the king to be jealous of them, lest their increas- ing power should ultimately annihilate his. Nowfaho's desire of revenge was, of course, considered (in their state of society) a virtuous and manly sentiment. If we attend to their conversation at the approach of death, we shall find them both expressing sentiments of disin- terested friendship for each other : Booboonoo is quite unhappy at leaving his infant son, and recommends him strongly to the care of Talo by all that is sacred and religious ; Nowfaho desires to be affectionately remembered to his wife ; these are not sentiments that belong to gross and savage minds. As to Cacahoo, he certainly was not so much famed for his be- nevolence, as for his prodigious strength and great personal courage ; yet still he was much beloved and respected j and several of the En-