I At
First Rather Wondered That Captain Furneaux Would Encumber Himself With
This Man, Who, In My Opinion, Was Not A Proper Sample Of The Inhabitants Of
These Happy Islands, Not Having Any Advantage Of Birth, Or Acquired Rank;
Nor Being Eminent In Shape, Figure, Or Complexion:
For their people of the
first rank are much fairer, and usually better behaved, and more
intelligent, than the middling class of people, among whom Omai is to be
ranked.
I have, however, since my arrival in England, been convinced of my
error: For excepting his complexion (which is undoubtedly of a deeper hue
than that of the Earees, or gentry, who, as in other countries, live
a more luxurious life, and are less exposed to the heat of the sun), I much
doubt whether any other of the natives would have given more general
satisfaction by his behaviour among us. Omai has most certainly a very good
understanding, quick parts, and honest principles; he has a natural good
behaviour, which rendered him acceptable to the best company; and a proper
degree of pride, which taught him to avoid the society of persons of
inferior rank. He has passions of the same kind as other young men, but has
judgment enough not to indulge them in any improper excess. I do not
imagine that he has any dislike to liquor, and if he had fallen into
company where the person who drank the most met with the most approbation,
I have no doubt, but that he would have endeavoured to gain the applause of
those with whom he associated; but, fortunately for him, he perceived that
drinking was very little in use but among inferior people, and as he was
very watchful into the manners and conduct of the persons of rank who
honoured him with their protection, he was sober and modest, and I never
heard that, during the whole time of his stay in England, which was two
years, he ever once was disguised with wine, or ever shewed an inclination
to go beyond the strictest rules of moderation.
Soon after his arrival in London, the Earl of Sandwich, the first Lord of
the Admiralty, introduced him to his majesty at Kew, when he met with a
most gracious reception, and imbibed the strongest impression of duty and
gratitude to that great and amiable prince, which I am persuaded he will
preserve to the latest moment of his life. During his stay among us he was
caressed by many of the principal nobility, and did nothing to forfeit the
esteem of any one of them; but his principal patrons were the Earl of
Sandwich, Mr Banks, and Dr Solander; the former probably thought it a duty
of his office to protect and countenance an inhabitant of that hospitable
country, where the wants and distresses of those in his department had been
alleviated and supplied in the most ample manner; the others, as a
testimony of their gratitude for the generous reception they had met with
during their residence in his country. It is to be observed, that though
Omai lived in the midst of amusements during his residence in England, his
return to his native country was always in his thoughts, and though he was
not impatient to go, he expressed a satisfaction as the time of his return
approached. He embarked with me in the Resolution, when she was fitted out
for another voyage, loaded with presents from his several friends, and full
of gratitude for the kind reception and treatment he had experienced among
us.
[1] "On the walk to Oree's house, Dr Sparrman and I saw great numbers
of hogs, dogs, and fowls. The last roamed about at pleasure through
the woods, and roosted on fruit-trees; the hogs were likewise allowed
to run about, but received regular portions of food, which were
commonly distributed by old women. We observed one of them, in
particular, feeding a little pig with the same fermented bread-fruit
paste, called mahei; she held the pig with one hand, and offered it
a tough pork's skin, but as soon as it opened the mouth to snap at it,
she contrived to throw in a handful of the same paste, which the
little animal would not take without this stratagem. The dogs, in
spite of their stupidity, were in high favour with all the women, who
could not have nursed them with a more ridiculous affection, if they
had really been ladies of fashion in Europe. We were witnesses of a
remarkable instance of kindness, when we saw a middle-aged woman,
whose breasts were full of milk, offering them to a little puppy,
which had been trained up to suck them. We were so much surprised at
this sight, that we could not help expressing our dislike of it; but
she smiled at our observation, and added, that she suffered little
pigs to do the same service. Upon enquiry, however, we found that she
had lost her child, and did her the justice amongst ourselves to
acknowledge, that this expedient was very innocent, and formerly
practised in Europe." - G.F.
He might have added, and still is. It is quite usual in this country
to use puppies in order to draw the breasts, when distended with milk,
from the want or inability of a child to suck them. But it is,
perhaps, quite erroneous to ascribe the practice to affection or
kindness, in either Europe or Otaheite. - E.
[2] "The people of this island appeared to be so exactly like the
Taheitians, that we could perceive no difference, nor could we by any
means verify that assertion of former navigators, that the women of
this island were in general fairer, and more handsome; but this may
vary according to circumstances. They were, however, not so
troublesome in begging for beads and other presents, nor so forward to
bestow their favours on the new comers, though at our landing and
putting off, some of the common sort frequently performed an indecent
ceremony, which is described in the accounts of former voyages, but
without any of the preparatory circumstances which Ooratooa practised.
We had likewise much less reason to extol the hospitality of the
inhabitants, their general behaviour being rather more indifferent,
and the Taheitian custom of reciprocal presents almost entirely
unknown.
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