ceived the infection; and I
had the mortification to learn from thence, that all the care I took
when I first visited these islands to prevent this dreadful disease from
being communicated to their inhabitants, had proved ineffectual. What is
extraordinary, they do not seem to regard it much; and as we saw few
signs of its destroying effects, probably the climate, and the way of
living of these people, greatly abate its virulence. There are two other
diseases frequent amongst them; one of which is an indolent firm
swelling, which affects the legs and arms, and increases them to an
extraordinary size in their whole length. The other is a tumour of the
same sort in the testicles, which sometimes exceed the size of the two
fists. But, in other respects, they may be considered as uncommonly
healthy, not a single person having been seen, during our stay, confined
to the house by sickness of any kind. On the contrary, their strength
and activity are every way answerable to their muscular appearance; and
they exert both, in their usual employment and in their diversions, in
such a manner, that there can be no doubt of their being; as yet, little
debilitated by the numerous diseases that are the consequence of
indolence, and an unnatural method of life.

The graceful air and firm step with which these people walk, are not the
least obvious proof of their personal accomplishments. They consider
this as a thing so natural, or so necessary to be acquired, that nothing
used to excite their laughter sooner, than to see us frequently
stumbling upon the roots of trees, or other inequalities of the ground.

Their countenances very remarkably express the abundant mildness or
good-nature which they possess; and are entirely free from that savage
keenness which marks nations in a barbarous state. One would, indeed, be
apt to fancy that they had been bred up under the severest restrictions,
to acquire an aspect so settled, and such a command of their passions,
as well as steadiness in conduct. But they are, at the same time, frank,
cheerful, and good-humoured; though sometimes in the presence of their
chiefs, they put on a degree of gravity, and such a serious air, as
becomes stiff and awkward, and has an appearance of reserve.

Their peaceable disposition is sufficiently evinced from the friendly
reception all strangers have met with who have visited them. Instead of
offering to attack them openly or clandestinely, as has been the case