In such a condition of society as that of the Indian
islanders, the absence of public security, and
of a regular administration of justice, leaves in a
great measure the power of avenging injuries in
the hands of individuals. Every man has arms in
his own hands to avenge his quarrel or his wrong.
The point of honour is, in consequence of the exercise
of this privilege, often as punctiliously observed
by the peasant of Celebes as by a French or English
gentleman. In the demeanour of thé Indian
islanders there is a large share of natural politeness.
Among the more scrupulous, a contemptuous or
haughty manner, still less an abusive expression,
and, above all, a blow, will not for a moment be
tolerated. The kris is at hand ready to avenge
the insult. Every man knows this, and the result
is, as already stated, a guarded demeanour and an
universal politeness. All the tribes of the Indian
islands pride themselves on this, and never offer an
one. This they expressed by putting their two fore-fingers
close together, and saying, that the English and Mindanaians
were samo, samo, that is, all one. Then they would draw
their fore-fingers half a foot asunder, and say the Dutch and
they were bugeto, which signifies so, that they were at such
distance in point of friendship: And for the Spaniards, they
would make a greater representation of distance than for the
Dutch. Fearing these, but having felt, and smarted from the
Spaniards, who had once almost brought them under.'’—Dam-
pier's Voyages, Vol. I. p. 358,359
indignity even to a stranger who could not defend
himself.
I shall conclude this review of the virtues of
the Polynesian tribes, by remarking, that they are
neither bigoted nor intolerant with respect to any
class of opinions or practice, civil or religious.
They bear no rancour towards strangers, but readily
tolerate their opposite manners, customs, and
religions.
Under the head of weaknesses, I shall chiefly
consider the credulity and superstition of the Indian
islanders. There is indeed no people more simple,
credulous, and superstitious. It would require
a volume to describe all the forms under which
these weaknesses are displayed, but as the reader
will become better acquainted with the character
of the people by being furnished with a few examples,
I shall attempt to give him the necessary
information at some length, confining myself chiefly
to such as have fallen under my own observation.
They believe in dreams, in omens, in fortunate
and unfortunate days, in the casting of nativities, in
the gift of supernatural endowments, in invulnerability,
in sorcery, enchantments, charms, philtres,
and relics. There is not a forest, a mountain,
a rock, or a cave, that is not supposed the habitation
of some invisible being, and not content
with their own stock of these, their comprehensive
faith has admitted those of Western India, of Ara