Volume 1

An account of the natives of the Tonga islands, in the south Pacific ocean. With an original grammar and vocabulary of their language / Compiled and arranged from the extensive communications of Mr. William Mariner, several years resident in those islands. By John Martin.

  • William Mariner
Date:
[etc., etc.] 1827
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of the natives of the Tonga islands, in the south Pacific ocean. With an original grammar and vocabulary of their language / Compiled and arranged from the extensive communications of Mr. William Mariner, several years resident in those islands. By John Martin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    I after so obstinate a rebellion, but they come to i endeavour to convince you of their sorrow for so great and heinous a crime. They have no expec- : tation but to die, therefore your will be done. ” * ) After a short pause, the priest added, “ Pass your V sentence, Finow : ” he then rose up and retired b among the people. In a little time, Finow said B to the supplicants, “ Toogooa he lo iff, ” Take j> off the ifi leaves (which is a sign of pardon) : of pi which command they took no notice, as if unwil- B ling to believe so great a mercy was shown to them. Finow again said, “ Toogooa he lo ifi,” p upon which they all complied, but remained in the same posture. Before we go further it must be ii observed, that there were vacant places left among Finow’s chiefs and matabooles for Toobo Malohi jf: and his principal followers, who were of sufficient p| rank, to be called to them after they had received their pardon: but for a great chief, circumstanced as pi was Toobo Malohi, to obey this summons (which is always pronounced by the mataboole sitting p | next to Finow) would neither be so respectful nor I] so prudent as to remain where he was, and take no notice of it, as if altogether unworthy of being so exalted ; whilst a chief of less noble rank would not hesitate to obey the command, and take the seat appointed for him. All this is done upon the principle, that a great chief, so offending, ought to keep himself as humble as possible, lest, having I great power and authority, he might he suspected of intentions to equalize himself with his supe- riors, and ultimately to revolt. Whereas minor chiefs, having but little power, are not liable to * This speech of the priests is to be considered more a matter of form than the real sentiments of the suppliants. 1
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