Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/167

 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 137 fare indifferently ; there you will eat the best of food. Only do not weep to spoil yourself." As he thus spoke, he played with her curly locks, complimenting her on her face and figure. She reminded him of a sister of hers who had been taken to Mbau in years past, and the mention of whose name seemed to have a talismanic effect on the aged aunt. "Ay!" she exclaimed, "that was a woman! Her face!" (placing a hand edgeways on either side of her own shrunk phiz,) "O what a face!" Then followed several other exclamations of admiring remembrance, more pointed than delicate, when, happily, the King interrupted the old lady before her admiration led her still farther beyond the bounds of propriety. Just then the King's women appeared with their nets, and he ordered the poor girl to go and "try her hand at fishing."

On the large islands is often found the custom, prevalent among many savage tribes, of seizing upon a woman by apparent or actual force, in order to make her a wife. On reaching the home of her ab- ductor, should she not approve of the match, she runs to some one who can protect her : if, however, she is satisfied, the matter is settled forth- with, a feast is given to her friends the next morning, and the couple are thenceforward considered as man and wife.

"Writing to a woman " is of recent date, and generally done with- out pen, ink, or paper. It is the "popping the question" of English life, and though for the most part done by the men, yet the women do not hesitate to adopt the same course when so inclined. The man, however, takes a present to help his suit; the woman trusts only to her charms. Wonderfully artless are some of the appeals made by the men. Thivalala, whose legs were disfigured with elephantiasis, addressed a smart young widow thus: "You know my circumstances; I am poor; I am afflicted; I am far away from my friends: I need some one to care for me, love me, and become my wife." She, sympathizing, con- sented. Plain speaking in these affairs is not uncommon. Simioni Wangkavou, wishing to bring the object of his affection to decision, addressed these homely remarks to her, in the hearing of several other persons: "I do not wish to have you because you are a good-looking woman; that you are not. But a woman is like a necklace of flowers, —pleasant to the eye and grateful to the smell : but such a necklace does not long continue attractive ; beautiful as it is one day, the next it fades and loses its scent. Yet a pretty necklace tempts one to ask for it, but, if refused, no one will often repeat his request. If you love me, I love you ; but if not, neither do I love you : only let it be a set- tled thing."

But to return to the wife whom we left being fed with fish. Gen-