Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/147

 MANNEES AND CUSTOMS. 121 received, and peace prevail in the land." He then claps, being joined by those sitting round, who also accompany him in repeating, " Mana dina li" So let it be, truly." Unless the report is one of unusual interest, it receives little attention from the hearers. " Good, good ! " is repeated now and then ; but the King often talks most of the time to some one else. At Vatavulu, it is said, the messenger has to sit with his back towards the Chief to whom he speaks. Pitiable as are their attempts at speechifying, the Fijians talk about eloquence, and point out one man as " a master of words," and another as " the salt of language." Perhaps the dignity of a court daunts the orator, forbidding his eloquence and wit to shine forth ; at any rate, he never rises above dry detail, and a little trite adulation. Should a canoe carry a great Chief, or belong to strangers, a proper person is sent on board to inquire who the visitors are, and why they have come. Whenever one Chief proposes to pay a visit to another,' a messenger is always sent beforehand, to give at least a few days' notice of his intention, to prevent surprise, and allow time for prepara- tion. The herald on such occasions is generally of a superior sort. If the visitor is of higher rank than those to whom he comes, a company of the leading men of the place, headed by a Mata, are sent ten miles or more on the way to meet and welcome him, when sometimes they present a nut or a whale's tooth, to indicate good will. When equals meet, they are free from servility. The Fijian, on such occasions, is careful to avoid remarks which might give offence, or the claiming of a station that does not belong to him. He will pass no one until he has intimated his purpose by a well-known word, or by asking permission, — a form observed also if he should wish to remove anything from above or near to any person. The existence of expressions equivalent to our "Mr.," "Sir," and " Madam," does much towards polishing the intercourse of this people ; and it is remarkable that they only in the South Seas have these terms in regular use. The jflattery of the natives is often gross, and some- times thoroughly oriental. Soon after my location in Lakemba, the Mission family visited the house of the King's brother ; and as we were about to retire, the lady of the house requested a servant to bring food, that " the Chiefs from the eye of the sun might eat." Some of their forms connected with giving and receiving deserve notice. I have several times received valuable presents of food ; but the donor declared the gift worthless, saying, " I have nothing fit to offer you ; but these fowls are an expression of my love for your children." Another on presenting some fish, named my servants ; and