language _tanger ifaifil_, would, by those of Tongataboo, be expressed
_tangee vefaine_.

If any one should still doubt, in spite of this evidence, it may be
recommended to his consideration, that long separation and other causes,
have introduced greater variations in the mode of pronouncing these two
words, at places confessedly inhabited by the same race, than subsist in
the specimen just given. It appears, from Mr Anderson's vocabulary,
printed in Captain Cook's second voyage, that what is pronounced
_tangee_ at the Friendly Islands, is _taee_ at Otaheite; and the
_vefaine_ of the former, is the _waheine_ of the latter.--D.]

Whether their marriages be made lasting by any kind of solemn contract,
we could not determine with precision; but it is certain, that the bulk
of the people satisfied themselves with one wife. The chiefs, however,
have commonly several women;[183] though some of us were of opinion,
that there was only one that was looked upon as the mistress of the
family.

[Footnote 183: Cantova says of his Caroline islanders, "La pluralite des
femmes est non seulement permise a tous ces insulaires, elle est encore
une marque d'honneur et de distinction. Le _Tamole_ de l'isle d'Huogoleu
en a neuf."--_Lettres Edifiantes et Curieuses_, tom. xv. p. 310.--D.]

As female chastity, at first sight, seemed to be held in no great
estimation, we expected to have found frequent breaches of their
conjugal fidelity; but we did them great injustice. I do not know that a
single instance happened daring our whole stay.[184] Neither are those
of the better sort, that are unmarried, more free of their favours. It
is true, there was no want of those of a different character; and,
perhaps, such are more frequently met with here, in proportion to the
number of people, than in many other countries. But it appeared to me,
that the most, if not all of them, were of the lowest class; and such of
them as permitted familiarities to our people, were prostitutes by
profession.

[Footnote 184: At the Caroline Islands, "Ils ont horreur de l'adultere,
comme d'une grand peche."--_Ibid_. tom. xv. p. 310.--D.]

Nothing can be a greater proof of the humanity of these people, than the
concern they shew for the dead.[185] To use a common expression, their
mourning is not in words, but deeds. For, besides the _tooge_ mentioned
before, and burnt circles and scars, they beat the teeth with stones,
strike a shark's tooth into the head, until th