 this valley of the Marquesas, I formed a higher estimate of human nature than
I had ever before entertained. But alas! since then I have been one of the crew
of a man-of-war, and the pent-up wickedness of five hundred men has nearly
overturned all my previous theories.
    There was one admirable trait in the general character of the Typees which,
more than anything else, secured my admiration: it was the unanimity of feeling
they displayed on every occasion. With them there hardly appeared to be any
difference of opinion upon any subject whatever. They all thought and acted
alike. I do not conceive that they could support a debating society for a single
night: there would be nothing to dispute about; and were they to call a
convention to take into consideration the state of the tribe, its session would
be a remarkably short one. They showed this spirit of unanimity in every action
of life: everything was done in concert and good fellowship. I will give an
instance of this fraternal feeling.
    One day, in returning with Kory-Kory from my accustomed visit to the Ti, we
passed by a little opening in the grove; on one side of which, my attendant
informed me, was that afternoon to be built a dwelling of bamboo. At least a
hundred of the natives were bringing materials to the ground, some carrying in
their hands one or two of the canes which were to form the sides, others slender
rods of the habiscus, strung with palmetto leaves, for the roof. Everyone
contributed something to the work; and by the united, but easy, and even
indolent, labours of all, the entire work was completed before sunset. The
islanders, while employed in erecting this tenement, reminded me of a colony of
beavers at work. To be sure, they were hardly as silent and demure as those
wonderful creatures, nor were they by any means as diligent. To tell the truth,
they were somewhat inclined to be lazy, but a perfect tumult of hilarity
prevailed; and they worked together so unitedly, and seemed actuated by such an
instinct of friendliness, that it was truly beautiful to behold.
    Not a single female took part in this employment: and if the degree of
consideration in which the ever-adorable sex is held by the men be - as the
philosophers affirm - a just criterion of the degree of refinement among a
people, then I may truly pronounce the Typees to be as polished a community as
ever the sun shone upon. The religious restrictions of the taboo alone excepted,
the women of the valley were allowed
