an any of
the native animals could have supplied.

Vocal music is one of the favourite amusements of the New Zealanders.
Destitute as they are of the art of writing, they have, nevertheless,
their song poetry, part of which is traditionary, and part the produce
of such passing events as strongly excite their feelings, and prompt
their fancy to this only work of composition of which they have any
knowledge.

Certain individuals among them are distinguished for their success in
these effusions; but the people inhabiting the vicinity of the East Cape
seem generally to enjoy the highest reputation for this species of
talent. These tribes, indeed, are described as in many other respects
decidedly superior to the rest of their countrymen. It is among them
that all the arts known in New Zealand flourish in the greatest
perfection; as, for example, the working of mats, and the making and
polishing of the different instruments used in war.

Yet, although very numerous, they are themselves of a peaceful
disposition. Their houses are said to be both larger and better built
than those in any other part of the island; and their plantations are
also more extensive. This seems, in short, to be the manufacturing
district of New Zealand, the only part of the country in which anything
like regular industry has found an abode. Hence the pre-eminence of its
inhabitants, both in the useful and the elegant arts.

Nicholas has printed some specimens of the songs of the New Zealanders,
which, when sung, are always accompanied, he informs us, by a great deal
of action. As he has given merely the words, however, without either the
music or a translation, it is needless to transcribe them. The airs he
describes as in general melodious and agreeable, and as having a
resemblance to our chanting.

One of the songs which he gives is that which is always sung at the
feast which takes place when the planting of the potatoes commences. "It
describes," he says, "the havoc occasioned by the violence of an east
wind. Their potatoes are destroyed by it. They plant them again, and,
being more successful, they express their joy while taking them out of
the ground, with the words, _ah kiki! ah kiki! ah kiki!_--eat away! eat
away! eat away! Which is the conclusion of the song." Of another, "the
subject is a man carving a canoe, when his enemies approach the shore in
a canoe to attack him; endeavouring to conceal himself, he runs in among
the bushes, but i