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[Page 424]

Manners & Customs of South Sea Islands

also how to tune two drums of Different notes into concord which they do nicely enough They also tune their flutes if two play upon flutes which are not in unison the short one is lenghned by adding a small roll of leaf which is tied round the end of it & movd up & down till their ears (which are certainly very nice) are satisfied The drumms are usd cheifly in their heivas which are at Otahiti no more than a set of musicians 2 drums for instance two flutes & two singers who go about from house to house & play they are alway receivd &  rewarded by the master of the family who gives them a peice of cloth or whatever else he can best spare & while they stay 3 or 4 hours maybe receives all his neighbours who croud his house full This diversion the people are extravagantly fond of most likely because like concerts asemblys &c. in Europe they serve to bring the Sexes easily together at a time when the very thoughts of meeting has opend the heart & made way for pleasing Ideas The grand Dramatick heiva which we saw at Ulhietea is I beleive occasionaly performd in all the Islands but that I have so fully Describd in the Journal of that Island Augst ye 3d 7th & 8th that I need say no more about it
 

 

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