threads of every seam showed; and at
every step you looked for a catastrophe.
    In general, there seems to be no settled style of dressing among the males:
they wear anything they can get; in some cases, awkwardly modifying the fashions
of their fathers so as to accord with their own altered views of what is
becoming.
    But ridiculous as many of them now appear in foreign habiliments, the
Tahitians presented a far different appearance in the original national costume;
which was graceful in the extreme, modest to all but the prudish, and peculiarly
adapted to the climate. But the short kilts of dyed tappa, the tasselled maroes,
and other articles formerly worn, are, at the present day, prohibited by law as
indecorous. For what reason necklaces and garlands of flowers, among the women,
are also forbidden, I never could learn; but it is said that they were
associated, in some way, with a forgotten heathen observance.
    Many pleasant and seemingly innocent sports and pastimes are likewise
interdicted. In old times, there were several athletic games practised, such as
wrestling, foot-racing, throwing the javelin, and archery. In all these they
greatly excelled; and, for some, splendid festivals were instituted. Among their
everyday amusements were dancing, tossing the football, kite-flying,
flute-playing, and singing traditional ballads - now, all punishable offences;
though most of them have been so long in disuse that they are nearly forgotten.
    In the same way, the Opio, or festive harvest-home of the bread-fruit, has
been suppressed; though, as described to me by Captain Bob, it seemed wholly
free from any immoral tendency. Against tattooing, of any kind, there is a
severe law.
    That this abolition of their national amusements and customs was not
willingly acquiesced in, is shown in the frequent violation of many of the
statutes inhibiting them; and, especially, in the frequency with which their
hevars, or dances, are practised in secret.
    Doubtless, in thus denationalising the Tahitians, as it were, the
missionaries were prompted by a sincere desire for good; but the effect has been
lamentable. Supplied with no amusements in place of those forbidden, the
Tahitians, who require more recreation than other people, have sunk into a
listlessness, or indulge in sensualities, a hundred times more pernicious than
all the games ever celebrated in the Temple of Tanee.
 

                                 Chapter XLVIII

                                Tahiti as It Is

As, in the last few chapters, several matters connected with the general
condition of the natives have been incidentally touched upon, it may be well