State Library of NSW
[Page 179]
175. Some account of New Zealand
15 paddles of a side in one of their Canoes move with immensely quick strokes & at the same time as a much Justness as if the movers were animated by one Soul not the fraction of a second could be observd between the putting dipping & raising any two of them the Canoe all the While moving with incredible swiftness & to see them dance their War dance was an amusement which never faild to please every spectator so much strengh & firmness & agility in their motions & at the same time such excellent time kept that I have often heard above 100 paddles &c struck against the sides of their boats as directed by their singing without a mistake being ever made in Colour they vary a little some being browner than others but few are browner than a well tanned Spaniard a little sun burnd might be supposd to be the women without being at all delicate in their outward appearance are rather smaller than Europaean women but have a peculiar softness of Voice which never fails to distinguish them from the men tho both are dressd exactly alike they are like those of the fair sex that I have seen in other countries more lively airy & laughter loving than the men & have more volatile spirits
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