he conclusion attributed to
the nameless lady of the legend would be reached to-day, under the like
circumstances, by ninety per cent. of Polynesians: and here I probably
under-state by one-tenth.

NOTES TO THE FEAST OF FAMINE

In this ballad I have strung together some of the more striking
particularities of the Marquesas. It rests upon no authority; it is in
no sense, like "Rahero," a native story; but a patchwork of details of
manners and the impressions of a traveller. It may seem strange, when
the scene is laid upon these profligate islands, to make the story hinge
on love. But love is not less known in the Marquesas than elsewhere; nor
is there any cause of suicide more common in the islands.

Note 1, page 169. "_Pit of popoi._" Where the bread-fruit was stored for
preservation.

Note 2, page 169. "_Ruby-red._" The priest's eyes were probably red from
the abuse of kava. His beard (_ib._) is said to be worth an estate; for
the beards of old men are the favourite head-adornment of the
Marquesans, as the hair of women formed their most costly girdle. The
former, among this generally beardless and short-lived people, fetch
to-day considerable sums.

Note 3, page 169. "_Tikis._" The tiki is an ugly image hewn out of wood
or stone.

Note 4, page 172. "_The one-stringed harp._" Usually employed for
serenades.

Note 5, page 173. "_The sacred cabin of palm._" Which, however, no woman
could approach. I do not know where women were tattooed; probably in the
common house, or in the bush, for a woman was a creature of small
account. I must guard the reader against supposing Taheia was at all
disfigured; the art of the Marquesan tattooer is extreme; and she would
appear to be clothed in a web of lace, inimitably delicate, exquisite in
pattern, and of a bluish hue that at once contrasts and harmonises with
the warm pigment of the native skin. It would be hard to find a woman
more becomingly adorned than "a well-tattooed" Marquesan.

Note 6, page 175. "_The horror of night._" The Polynesian fear of ghosts
and of the dark has been already referred to. Their life is beleaguered
by the dead.

Note 7, page 176. "_The quiet passage of souls._" So, I am told, the
natives explain the sound of a little wind passing overhead unfelt.

Note 8, page 178. "_The first of the victims fell._" Without doubt, this
whole scene is untrue to fact. The victims were disposed of privately
and some time before. And indeed I am far from cla