Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/477

 VIWA AND MBATJ. 443 welfare, and also by a sincere esteem for yourself, to address a few words to you in the language of friendship. '* These beautiful islands have been until now the scene of the grossest impostures and the most degrading superstitions that have ever disgraced mankind ; leading, in their results, to practices in which treachery and murder are stepping-stones to the grati- fication of the vilest passions and appetites. " No people ever did, or ever will, become great or honourable whUst sunk in so profound a depth of ignorance and crime ; and it is because I know you to be far too in- telligent to be deceived by the flimsy superstitions which surround you, that I would entreat you, for the good of your country, to use your powerful influence in stopping those abominable cruelties which disgrace it, and which cannot be thought of without disgust by any enlightened mind. I am confident that you cannot contemplate the kid- napping of unoffending women and children, to supply a cannibal feast, nor the murder of a wife on the death of her husband, without shame for the cowardice of the former, and for the folly of the latter, as well as for the cruelty of both. by that Chief who has the courage to oppose them. There is one man, and only one man, who can effectually do this ; and that man is yourself I would say to you, there- fore. Do not leave for another the opportunity which has fallen to your lot of conferring so great a blessing upon your country. Let it be seen that cowardice and cruelty are no longer to be forced upon your people by a gross and ridiculous superstition. They are an industrious and intelligent people ; let them be protected and encouraged, and they will become great and prosperous ; how much greater will be the ruler of such a people ! " These few words have been written in the spirit of friendship : they are intended to promote the real welfare of your country, and your own true dignity and honour. I therefore trust that you will give them your serious attention. " I will conclude with a request, which I make because I think it will in a very great degree forward those objects : — " "We must expect that in a short time your father will be numbered with the dead. According to a horrible practice to which I have alluded, many women of his household would be murdered in cold blood on this melancholy occasion. Let me ask, as a per- sonal favour, that you will interpose your authority to save these poor women from be- coming the victims of such atrocious superstition. I beg their lives at your hands, and I earnestly hope that your compliance with my request will be one step towards the hap- piness of Fiji. your true friend. (Signed) "E. G. Fanshawe, Ca;ptain" The visits of these ships of war, the Commanders of which so greatly helped the Missionaries in their work, were of incalculable advantage. Captain Erskine, after leaving the islands, wrote to the Missionaries and to the Chief, and sent Lieutenant Pollard, with a war schooner, to pay another visit. The Lieutenant kindly conveyed one of the Mission families to another Station, and interfered with prompt energy to prevent a fight and caimibal feasting during that visit of the Somosomo people which had been so much dreaded hj the Mission- aries. The decisive measures adopted, though not entirely successful, greatly diminished the customary amount of bloodshed and cannibalism on that occasion. 29
 * ' Depend upon it, such practices cannot last ; and great will be the honour acquired
 * ' That Fiji may be blessed, and that you may be truly great, is the sincere wish of