TEN MONTHS IN THE FIJI ISLANDS.*
THIS is the second work on the Fiji Islands resulting from the special mission of inquiry despatched by the Duke of Newcastle in 1860. Dr. Berthold Seemann, attached to the mission as botanist, was first in the field, and his able work was reviewed in these columns a little less than a year ago. The volume now before us is a composite work, the joint production of Colonel Smythe, the Commissioner appointed to investigate the expediency of accepting the alleged offer of the sovereignty of the islands brought over by Mr. Consul Pritchard, and Mrs. Smythe. The former supplies an introduction and an appendix, containing his report as presented to Government, together with other interest- ing documents and correspondence relative to the Fiji Islands ; and the latter contributes the literary portion of the undertaking in the shape of a series of decidedly well-written and amusing letters addressed to friends in England during the ten months over which the inquiry extended. The result of that inquiry was, as is well known, the unmodified adoption by the British Government of the conclusion arrived at by Colonel Smythe in the course of his judicious and searching investigation, and embodied in his report. The reasons adduced by him are so cogent in the dry, practical paragraphs of his report, and so thoroughly illustrated by the more discursive and descriptive pages of Mrs. Smythe's letters, that we do not think the wisdom of the course pursued by Government can be questioned either in the inte- rests of Christianity, philanthropy, or commerce. In the first place, it is clear that the original statements of Mr. Consul Prit- chard were erroneous in several most important particulars. The individual who was represented by him to be the King of Fiji, and as desirous of ceding his sovereignty to the British Crown, turned out to be simply one of many independent chiefs, all of whom, however, acquiesced in the cession. Their real motive was undoubtedly fear of the United States, and a hope that they would be relieved from an exorbitant claim for reparation for alleged injuries received by American citizens. Cotton, though not indigenous, can be grown successfully in the islands, but the stereotyped difficulties are fatal to expectations of a large supply. The total absence of capital and machinery, and the incapacity of the natives for sustained labour, appear to Colonel Smythe to preclude its growth to any material extent. The advantages of the islands as a coaling station between Australia and Panama, too, were much overrated, and would certainly not compensate for a circuitous route and dangerous navigation. Lastly, with regard to the philanthropic question involved, it appeared to Colonel Smy the that the remarkable success of the missionaries was ameliorating the condition of the natives to an extent which it was very doubtful whether British rule would materially increase. Such were the conclusions at which Colonel Smythe arrived after his ten months' residence in the Fiji Islands, and the experience upon which he founded them is pleasantly and un- affectedly narrated in the letters, which form the greater portion of the volume. Mrs. Smythe sets a most desirable example to lady travellers in both the matter and style of her narrative. While fully appreciating the bearing of all she observed in the object of the mission, she never wanders from the true province of lady travellers—graphic description and rapid instinctive per- ception. Although addressed to personal friends, her letters are not encumbered with the small adventures or undue dwelling on petty hardships, which too often form so considerable a propor- tion of records of female enterprise, and ten months in the Fiji Islands may be fairly termed an enterprise for a lady. Although there is not much in her letters that throws any absolute new light on Fiji nature, the manner and customs of that singular people are sketched in by far the most readable form they have yet been presented in. The Fijian race forms part of the darker-coloured variety of the Polynesian type, and is scattered throughout a group of no less than two hundred islands, half of which, * Ten Months in the Fiji Islinufs. By Mn.. Smythe. With an Introduction sod Appendix by Colonel W. T. Smythe. Illustrated. Oxford and London: J. IL and J Parker. 1884. perhaps, are inhabited, the remaining half being in general mere volcanic rocks, surrounded by coral reefs. The total popu- lation is about 200,000, one-third of whom are at least nominal converts. The two principal islands are, at least, 250 miles each in circumference, and extremely fertile, yams, cocoa-nuts, bread fruit, and bananas being produced in profuse abundance. The scenery is lovely, the climate healthy, even for Europeans, and the cherished notion that the Fiji Islands presented the-abso- lute type of everything that was degrading, disgusting, and horrible in all heathendom is now fairly demonstrated to be among popular errors. Making every allowance for the sanguine temperament of missionaries, it is clear that more has been done in proportion in the way of moral eleva- tion of a race than in any quarter of the globe. The national character is very distinctly marked, and presents many extremely good points. The form of Government is abso- lutism, tempered only by the innate consciousness of aristocratic snperiority possessed by the governing caste. The chiefs, who are very numerous, though infinitely varying in rank and power, besides making it a point of honour to excel their inferiors in every respect, constantly exhibit qualities which we have been accustomed to arrogate exclusively to our ideal of European chivalry. A Fijian chief is, in many respects, a perfect gentle- man, with strong notions of honour and courtesy. He frequently evinces the most delicate consideration for the feelings of those with whom he is thrown in contact, and is capable of natural politeness of the most refined order. He is, on the whole, truth- ful, and instances to the contrary can often be palpably referred to his repugnance to say anything which might distress his guest or visitor. The people are tall, well built, and daring. On the other hand, they possess absolutely no practical civiliza- tion or mechanical skill, they are lazy, occasionally cruel, and although of considerably greater mental capacity than the Maoriee, have never turned it to any good account. Of course, no complete idea can be given of the Fijian character without reference to the horrible stain of cannibalism which attaches to them so widely. There can be little doubt that formerly cannibalism prevailed to an extent unsurpassed amongst any other race, but it is equally certain that even the most superficial acceptance of Christianity at once and for ever terminates the practice. That it still prevails largely amongst the absolutely unreclaimed heathenry is but too probable, but native repug- nance to wounding what they no doubt consider the prejudices of Europeans makes it. extremely difficult to get at the truth, even as to the real causes of cannibalism. It seems clear that epicureanism forms but a slight element, if it operates at all, and consumption of human flesh is probably indulged in far more as a mark of disrespect to the person eaten than an enjoyment to the eater. There is, too, as Mrs. Smythe points out, a distinctly superstitious side of the question. Human flesh is invariably eaten with a fork specially set apart for the purpose, and never touched with the fingers, while whole families, and even small tribes, steadfastly refuse to eat human flesh, from the belief that their special deities inhabit the human body, as other tribes believe theirs to inhabit the bodies of beasts and birds. How- ever, this hateful practice, together with strangulation of widows, infanticide, and kindred enormities, is unquestionably on the decrease.
The three great c3uses which have operated to influence the Fijian character and condition have been the efforts of missionaries —an unmixed good—the advent of the Tongans—a questionable benefit—and the settlement of some two hundred whites, chiefly deserted American sailors—an unmitigated evil. We have already referred to the really great results of the original Wes- leyan missions, although their agents no doubt fell occasionally into the error of over-estimating technical conversions at the expense of general means of improvement, and the recent appointment of a Missionary Bishop bids fair to give a coherence and unity to Church of England efforts in Melanesia which can- not fail to produce good results. The second great event in Fijian history of late years is the employment, by rival chiefs, of large forces of warriors from tho Tongan Islands. They are semi- Christians, more energetic and resolute than the Fijians, but on the whole, inferior in character, and exercise a decidedly deleterious influence over the Fijian converts. They are far better disciplined for fighting, and are consequently gaining a position in the Fijian Archipelago which it is doubtful if they will ever abandon. They belong to the lighter-coloured branch of the Polynesian race, and originally sought the Fiji Islands in order to obtain a particular kind of wood for the construction of bows. The presence of a white population composed of scum
and outcasts from all European nations is, as we have said, an unmitigated evil. The best efforts of the missionaries are thwarted and neutralized at every turn by these lawless ruffians, and Colonel Smythe proposes a most desirable scheme for giving by treaty certain magisterial powers to the British Consul, to- gether with an effective police for their repression.
Previous page
