Some Account of New Zealand/Chapter 7
Chap. VII.
In New Zealand, as in all uncivilized countries, the passions are the principal guide to the actions of its inhabitants: but in this island I conceive those actions are very much restrained, either by the superintendance and authority of their chiefs, or by a natural proneness to affection; or, perhaps, by a union of the two causes: certain it is, however, that a great degree of subordination and affection is observable among them upon all occasions.
The natives of this island have hitherto been considered cannibals of the worst description, but I apprehend their character, in this respect, is not so horrible as represented; for although they acknowledge that they have been driven to the dire necessity of eating human flesh, in times of great scarcity of food, yet it does not appear that they have any predilection for the practice: the motive which impels them to this inhuman deed, as customary at present, is vengeance, but even this passion is not pursued without limitation. Thus, after a conquest, the victors do not devour the whole of their prisoners, but are content with shewing their power to do so, by dividing the chief of the vanquished tribe among them: he is eaten, it is true, but I do not believe that food is the inducement.
It is probable that an European, who should act with hostility toward them, would be treated in the same way, but if cast defenceless upon their shores, I have reasons for believing he would meet with far different treatment.
There can be no doubt but that the introduction of potatoes has saved many lives, for they certainly give that root a decided preference to human flesh, under every circumstance except that before stated.
The manners of these people are particularly kind and affectionate upon all occasions; one or two instances, of a very striking nature, I observed during my stay here.
We had constantly a number of natives on board the ship; many remained two or three days without visiting the shore, and others visited it daily. One day, it blowing very strong, a canoe, in which were women and children only, attempting to approach the ship, upset; the lamentations of those on board the ship were expressed in a most affecting manner; but we were too much engaged in lowering down a boat to save the lives of the poor creatures, to attend to those who were expressing so much apprehension for their safety. Happily the boat saved every life: the women clung to the canoe with one hand, and in almost every instance supported a child with the other, their own safety appearing evidently to be a secondary consideration. Their situation for some time was extremely perilous, and that of the natives on board the ship truly pitiable, till they found that the boat arrived in time to rescue the women and children from a watery grave; then their distress gave way to the most tumultuous joy: and when the poor half-drowned shivering females and their children were brought on board, the congratulations on their escape, and their kind and soothing attentions, were such as would by no means have disgraced the moral character of the most refined European; those who had remained on board immediately stripping themselves of their mats to cover their friends or relatives, who had a much greater occasion for them.
It was upon this occurrence only that the natives received any strong liquor; I prevailed upon them to take a little wine, which their confidence in me induced them to receive as a medicine to prevent the effects of cold; shewing, however, the greatest solicitude for the health of their children by helping them before they took any themselves.
The likeness I took of Tiarrah was so striking, that it gained me a great degree of popularity among the natives, and many of them came a considerable distance to see it; several offered to accompany me to Europe, and I selected one, whose countenance pleased me, for the purpose of bringing to England. He was a healthy stout young man, of the military class, and connected with families of the first consideration in these parts.
This man, whose name is Moyhanger, accompanied me to London, and furnished me with much information concerning his country during the time he remained with me; I found him a most affectionate kind-hearted creature, and parted with him reluctantly: a favourable opportunity occurring in a few weeks after my arrival for his return, with Capt. Skelton, of the Ferret, South Whaler, who I knew would treat him with the greatest kindness, I was induced to recommend his departure. The ample stock of tools he took with him would render him superior, in point of riches, to any man in New Zealand; and there is not a doubt but the example of his success will induce many of his countrymen to try their fortune, whenever an opportunity for emigration may offer.
The regret at parting between this native and myself was equal on both sides; he held my hand at taking leave a considerable time, during the whole of which he wept, and appeared to suffer exceedingly: I reminded him of his riches, and the man of consequence he would become upon his return to his own country—of his power to entertain all his friends by a recital of the wonders he had seen, and the knowledge he had acquired: he admited it all, and the idea pleased him, but he left me shedding tears, and assuring me that I might expect him again when he had distributed his wealth, and made some family arrangements he considered of material consequence.
The parting with his relatives previously to our leaving New Zealand was remarkably interesting. Moyhanger had remained on board the ship several days before our sailing, happy in himself, and determined to see the world; his friends and relatives came daily to see him—some approved, and some condemned his resolution; but Moyhanger remained unshaken, and the time arrived when he was to go through the ceremony of taking leave.
The canoe containing his kindred came alongside, and as soon as it was made fast to the ship, Moyhanger's father came on board. After a little preliminary discourse the father and son fell into each others arms, in which situation they remained near twenty miņutes, during which time the right eye of the father was in close contact with the left eye of the son: abundance of tears were shed, and a variety of plaintive sounds uttered on both sides. The venerable appearance of the father, who is of their religious class, made the scene truly interesting.
When this ceremony was concluded with the father, Moyhanger descended to the canoe, and embracing his mother, mingled his tears with her's, in a similar way to that which had just taken place between the father and himself—the same plaintive sounds were uttered, and evidently a great deal of affection expressed on both sides; but the time taken up in parting with his mother was not more than half of that which had been employed in taking leave of the father. His brother came next; when a similar scene of grief occurred, but of shorter duration: his sisters were embraced by him, but in a less ceremonious manner.
This interesting ceremony being concluded, Moyhanger ascended the ship's side, and all parties appeared chearful and happy.
In the early part of this parting scene, the appearance of affliction was so great, that I was induced to interrupt it, by desiring that no separation might take place between friends that were so much attached to each other; but I found that it was a matter of course, whenever a native quits his parents, and that I should offend all parties by retracting my permission for Moyhanger to accompany me.
I wished to make a parting present to the venerable father, and I thought that some poultry might be acceptable: the old man declined every thing I could offer—however he had no objection to my making presents to any other part of his family; and we accordingly very soon got the better of this difficulty.
When the canoe left the ship, the father and mother kept spreading their arms, and looking toward heaven, as if supplicating the protection of a superior power in behalf of their son, during the whole time they remained within sight.
The meeting of friends after a separation is also remarkable. If the absence has been short, the ceremony consists in embracing, mingling their tears, and moaning in company for some time; but if the absence has been of long duration, the female relatives of the absentee express their joy upon his return in a most extraordinary and painful manner: they scratch and disfigure their faces with broken pieces of shell, so as to produce considerable suffering.
This custom must prove exceedingly distressing, if the male branches of a family were much in the habit of wandering.
Poor Moyhanger has two sisters, one of them a very fine girl; and I much fear that their joy will be so great at his return to them, as to produce a dreadful disfiguration of their countenances.
I have mentioned these instances to shew that affection is a very prominent feature in the character of a New Zealander.
The mode of salutation here is similar to that practised in other parts of the South Sea: that of bringing the noses of the parties in contact. This ceremony took place between Moyhanger's friends and myself at parting.