{"id":"01KG8AKSKBFDH40ZA3CFZ6V92X","cid":"bafkreie2hgqzqy2f2jeylcad3beoofolg6vy2ic652msa4hhiibh4qetvu","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":6865,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:15.152Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","start_line":6799,"text":"CHAPTER XLIX.\r\nSAME SUBJECT CONTINUED\r\n\r\n\r\nWe have glanced at their moral and religious condition; let us see how\r\nit is with them socially, and in other respects.\r\n\r\nIt has been said that the only way to civilize a people is to form in\r\nthem habits of industry. Judged by this principle, the Tahitians are\r\nless civilized now than formerly. True, their constitutional indolence\r\nis excessive; but surely, if the spirit of Christianity is among them,\r\nso unchristian a vice ought to be, at least, partially remedied. But\r\nthe reverse is the fact. Instead of acquiring new occupations, old ones\r\nhave been discontinued.\r\n\r\nAs previously remarked, the manufacture of tappa is nearly obsolete in\r\nmany parts of the island. So, too, with that of the native tools and\r\ndomestic utensils; very few of which are now fabricated, since the\r\nsuperiority of European wares has been made so evident.\r\n\r\nThis, however, would be all very well were the natives to apply\r\nthemselves to such occupations as would enable them to supply the few\r\narticles they need. But they are far from doing so; and the majority\r\nbeing unable to obtain European substitutes for many things before made\r\nby themselves, the inevitable consequence is seen in the present\r\nwretched and destitute mode of life among the common people. To me so\r\nrecently from a primitive valley of the Marquesas, the aspect of most\r\nof the dwellings of the poorer Tahitians, and their general habits,\r\nseemed anything but tidy; nor could I avoid a comparison, immeasurably\r\nto the disadvantage of these partially civilized islanders.\r\n\r\nIn Tahiti, the people have nothing to do; and idleness, everywhere, is\r\nthe parent of vice. “There is scarcely anything,” says the good old\r\nQuaker Wheeler, “so striking, or pitiable, as their aimless, nerveless\r\nmode of spending life.”\r\n\r\nAttempts have repeatedly been made to rouse them from their\r\nsluggishness; but in vain. Several years ago, the cultivation of cotton\r\nwas introduced; and, with their usual love of novelty, they went to\r\nwork with great alacrity; but the interest excited quickly subsided,\r\nand now, not a pound of the article is raised.\r\n\r\nAbout the same time, machinery for weaving was sent out from London;\r\nand a factory was started at Afrehitoo, in Imeeo. The whiz of the\r\nwheels and spindles brought in volunteers from all quarters, who deemed\r\nit a privilege to be admitted to work: yet, in six months, not a boy\r\ncould be hired; and the machinery was knocked down, and packed off to\r\nSydney.\r\n\r\nIt was the same way with the cultivation of the sugar-cane, a plant\r\nindigenous to the island; peculiarly fitted to the soil and climate,\r\nand of so excellent a quality that Bligh took slips of it to the West\r\nIndies. All the plantations went on famously for a while; the natives\r\nswarming in the fields like ants, and making a prodigious stir. What\r\nfew plantations now remain are owned and worked by whites; who would\r\nrather pay a drunken sailor eighteen or twenty Spanish dollars a month,\r\nthan hire a sober native for his “fish and tarro.”\r\n\r\nIt is well worthy remark here, that every evidence of civilization\r\namong the South Sea Islands directly pertains to foreigners; though the\r\nfact of such evidence existing at all is usually urged as a proof of\r\nthe elevated condition of the natives. Thus, at Honolulu, the capital\r\nof the Sandwich Islands, there are fine dwelling-houses, several\r\nhotels, and barber-shops, ay, even billiard-rooms; but all these are\r\nowned and used, be it observed, by whites. There are tailors, and\r\nblacksmiths, and carpenters also; but not one of them is a native.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJK7QV80GYR4NF29X1054","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKSKB0GZ5C1D5PTDK2NKJ","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:15.979Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:29.517Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}