Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/141

 MANNERS AOT) CTJSTOMS. 115 from the reef, a husbandman for propitious seasons, and the sailor for a brisk wind. The ruling passion is thus frequently manifested : the covetous man calls for wealth, plenty of tortoise-shell, or a whale's tooth ; the epicure, for broiled fish, rice puddings, or turtle soup. A kind neighbour of mine used to ask for pleasant conversation. A treacherous Chief was accustomed to say, " There yet is, that is kept back." An ill-looking doctor was ever crying out for a " good god," and a little priest always said of the gods, " They pull, and I pull." Many drinking-wishes are expressed enigmatically : " a red string," means sinnet ; " a path that resounds," a canoe ; " a bamboo basket," food from Somosomo ; " a long pig," a human body (to be eaten) : sugar-cane is asked for as " water in dams," and the milk of the nut as " water that trembles in the breeze." The origin of this custom may perhaps be traceable to the common practice of ending a report and many business transactions by a short wish or prayer. Very few Fijians drink to excess ; the intemperate are easily distin- guished by their inflamed eyes and a scaly appearance of the skin. By one or two ordinary draughts a stupor is produced, from which the drinker manifests an unwillingness to be aroused. The yaqona-ring is often the prelude to a feast, for which, when on a large scale, prepara- tions commence months beforehand. Yams and taro are planted with special reference to it, a tahu is put upon pigs and nuts, and the turtle- fishers are sent to set their nets. As the time approaches, messengers are sent far and near to announce the day appointed. This announce- ment, which is a respectful way of inviting the guests, is made to the several Chiefs, and through them to their people. The invitations are liberal, including all the male population of the town or district to which the Mata is sent. On the part of the entertainers, there is a vigorous effort at display. Every member of the community has an interest in the affair, and an- ticipates, as his own, a large portion of the praise elicited by a liberal feast. A day or two beforehand, every one is full of activity ; the King issuing orders, the Matas communicatmg them to the people, and the people carrying them out. The ovens are prepared during the previous night, when the chopping of fuel and squealing of pigs is heard in every direction, while the flames from the ovens yield a light greatly helping the labours of the cooks. The name of coolc, among the na- tives, is an eminently derisive epithet, and considerable amusement arises from the fact that, at these times of preparation, all persons, from Princes downward, feed the oven, or stir the pot. The baking of all kinds of food, and the making of all kinds of puddings, are intrusted