Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/53

 CHAPTEE III. WAE. Another and most strongly marked feature in the political aspect of Fiji has yet to be noticed : it is war. Much has been set forth on this subject, with which my own long and close observation forbids me to agree. It is said of the Fijians, as of most savage nations, that they are warlike ; and they have been pictured as fierce, ferocious, and eager for bloodshed and battle. But this is a caricature, resulting from too hasty and superficial an estimate of the native character. When on his feet, the Fijian is always armed ; when working in his garden, or lying on his mat, his arms are always at hand. This, however, is not to be attributed to his bold or choleric temper, but to suspicion and dread. Fear arms the Fijian. His o^vn heart tells him that no one could trust him and be safe, whence he infers that his own security consists in uni- versal mistrust of others. The club or spear is the companion of all his walks ; but it is only for defence. This is proved by every man you meet : in the distance you see him with his weapon shouldered ; getting nearer, he lowers it to his knee, gives you the path, and passes on. This is invariable, except when the people meet purposely to fight, or when two enemies come unexpectedly together. Such conduct surely is the opposite to offensive, being rather a show of inferiority, a mere . point of etiquette. Nevertheless Fiji is rarely free from war and its attendant evils. Several causes exist for this, such as theprideand jealousy of the Chiefs, and the fact of there being so many independent governments, each of which seeks aggrandizement at the expense of the rest. Any misgiving ^ as to the probability of success proves the most powerful motive for ^ peace ; and superstition asserts the cackling of hens at night to be a sure prognostic of fighting. The appearance of restless haste for war is often assumed, when no corresponding anxiety is felt. When war is decided 3