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[Page 484]

Manners & Customs of the South Sea Islands

inferior people go after death & those of the cheifs & rich men to the other This is one of the strongest instances to shew that their religion is totaly independent of Morality no actions regarding their neighbours are supposd to come at all under the Cognizance of the Deity a humble regard only is to be shewn him & his assistance askd on all occasions with much Ceremony & some sacrafice, from whence are derivd the Perquisites of the Preists.

The Tahowa or Preist is here a hereditary Character They are numerous & all ranks of People have preists among them the cheif is generaly however the younger brother of some very Good Family & is respected in a degree next to their kings, all ranks of preists are commonly more learned than the laity their learning consists cheifly in knowing well the names & ranks of the different Eatuas or divinities the origin of this System the universe & all its parts &c these things have been handed down to them in set sentences of which those who are clever can repeat an almost infinite number in doing in doing
 

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