Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/288

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The men are of the size of the larger Europeans, stout, clean-limbed, and active, fleshy, but never fat, as the lazy inhabitants of the South Sea Isles, vigorous, nimble, and at the same time clever in all their exercises. I have seen fifteen paddles of a side in one of their canoes move with immensely quick strokes, and at the same time as much justness as if the rowers were animated by one soul, not the fraction of a second could be observed between the dipping and raising any two of them, the canoe all the while moving with incredible swiftness. To see them dance their war dance was an amusement which never failed to please every spectator. So much strength, firmness, and agility did they show in their motions, and at the same time such excellent time did they keep, that I have often heard above a hundred paddles struck against the sides of their boats, as directed by their singing, without a mistake being ever made. In colour they vary a little, some being browner than others; but few are browner than a Spaniard a little sunburnt might be supposed to be. The women, without being at all delicate in their outward appearance, are rather smaller than European women, but have a peculiar softness of voice which never fails to distinguish them from the men. Both are dressed exactly alike. The women are like those of the sex that I have seen in other countries, more lively, airy, and laughter-loving than the men, and with more volatile spirits. Formed by nature to soften the cares of more serious man, who takes upon himself the laborious and toilsome part, as war, tilling the ground, etc., that disposition appears even in this uncultivated state of nature, showing in a high degree that, in uncivilised as well as in the most polished nations, man's ultimate happiness must at last be placed in woman. The dispositions of both sexes seem mild, gentle, and very affectionate to each other, but implacable towards their enemies, whom after having killed they eat, probably from a principle of revenge. I believe they never give quarter or take prisoners. They seem inured to war, and in their attacks work themselves up by their own war dance to a kind of artificial courage, which will