. It was in a part of the country where there were few
inhabitants, except fishers. It was always holiday with our visitors, as
well as with those we visited; so that we had but few opportunities of
observing what was really the domestic way of living of the natives.
Under these disadvantages, it is not surprising that we should not be
able to bring away with us satisfactory accounts of many things; but
some of us endeavoured to remedy those disadvantages by diligent
observation, and I am indebted to Mr Anderson for a considerable share
of what follows in this and in the following section. In other matters,
I have only expressed, nearly in his own words, remarks that coincided
with mine; but what relates to the religion and language of these people
is entirely his own.

The natives of the Friendly Islands seldom exceed the common stature
(though we have measured some who were above six feet), but are very
strong and well-made, especially as to their limbs. They are generally
broad about the shoulders, and though the muscular disposition of the
men, which seems a consequence of much action, rather conveys the
appearance of strength than of beauty, there are several to be seen who
are really handsome. Their features are very various, insomuch, that it
is scarcely possible to fix on any general likeness by which to
characterize them, unless it be a fullness at the point of the nose,
which is very common. But, on the other hand, we met with hundreds of
truly European faces, and many genuine Roman noses amongst them. Their
eyes and teeth are good; but the last neither so remarkably white nor so
well set, as is often found amongst Indian nations; though to balance
that, few of them have any uncommon thickness about the lips, a defect
as frequent as the other perfection.

The women are not so much distinguished from the men by their features,
as by their general form, which is, for the most part, destitute of that
strong fleshy firmness that appears in the latter. Though the features
of some are so delicate, as not only to be a true index of their sex,
but to lay claim to a considerable share of beauty and expression, the
rule is by no means so general as in many other countries. But, at the
same time, this is frequently the most exceptionable part; for the
bodies and limbs of most of the females, are well proportioned, and some
absolutely perfect models of a beautiful figure. But the most remarkable
distinction in the women,