CHAPTER XV
DESCRIPTION OF SAVU
Mr. Lange's account—Political divisions of the island—Its general appearance—Productions—Buffaloes—Horses—Sheep—Fish—Vegetables—Fan-palm—Liquor—Sugar-making—Fire-holes for cooking—Sustaining qualities of sugar—Description of the natives—Dress—Ornaments—Chewing betel, areca, lime, and tobacco—Construction of their houses—Looms and spinning-machines—Surgery—Religion—Christian converts—Radjas—Slaves—Large stones of honour—Feasts—Military—Weapons—Relations with the Dutch—Mynheer Lange—Language—Neighbouring islands—Wreck of a French ship—Dutch policy with regard to language.
I shall now proceed to give such an account of the island as I could get together during our stay, which, short as it was, was so taken up with procuring refreshments, in which occupation every one was obliged to exert himself, that very little, I confess, is from my own observation. Almost everything is gathered from the conversation of Mr. Lange, who at first and at the end was very free and open, and, I am inclined to believe, did not deceive us in what he told us, how much soever he might conceal; except, perhaps, in the strength and warlike disposition of the islanders, which account seems to contradict itself, as one can hardly imagine these people to be of a warlike disposition who have continued in peace time out of mind. As for the other islands in this neighbourhood, his information was all we had to go upon. I would not, however, neglect to set it down, though in general it was of little more consequence than to confirm the policy of the Dutch in confining their spices to particular isles, which, being full of them, cannot supply themselves with provisions.
