A large portion of the New Hebrides is well cultivated. Whole islands are covered by woods and divisions, indi cating mach industry, and a correct notion of property ; and extensive grounds are laid out in regular plantations of the sugar-cane, bananas, and plantains, all kept in good order, and sometimes protected by stone fences two feet high.
It is not ascertained that the natives have any religion, or any form of government. They offer the branch of a tree as a sign of pacification, and pour water on their heads, as indicating a desire for conciliation, or in token of con trition. They dance round fires to the sound of drums ; and these are heard in the woods on occasions of alarm. Their music is of a lively turn ; they have pleasing airs embracing a considerable compass, and it is said they sing in parts,—a fact worthy of being ascertained, as the music of savages is so limited. An instrument consisting of eight reeds, like the syrinx or Pan's pipe, and extending throughout an octave, has been seen here.
It is singular, that in some of the islands, as Tanna, iron is of no value, while in others it bears the highest price. Look ing-glasses prove the source of great amusement to the na tives, and their,complacent self-contemplations have induc ed their visitors to affirm that they are extremely conceited.
All those who have reached the New Hebrides bestow the warmest commendations on their soil, climate, and productions. The later navigators have thought that a settlement might be profitably made on Sandwich Island ; and Quiros, two. centuries ago, sought to interest the ava ricious court of Spain, by pointing out the benefit which would result from one on the Tierra Austral del Espiritu Santo. " In a word," he says, " the union of so many ad vantages would produce such power and riches, that these territories would not only support themselves, but afford an overplus for the assistance of America, aggrandize your majesty's dominions in general, and very speedily elevate Spain to the highest degree of prosperity. All this
I will undertake to answer for, if I shall be assisted and supported in my enterprise." The north side of the island is penetrated by a capacious bay, which he considers capa ble of being a harbour for 1000 vessels ; and after ac quainting his sovereign, that, amidst its numerous pro perties, " the dawn is ushered in by a most delightful con cert of millions of birds from the forests wherewith the shores are shaded, and that every evening and morning the air is perfumed with the odours of all species of flowers in termixed with those of aromatic plants," he concludes with these words : Finally, sire, I can with confidence assert, that this harbour, which is situated in 15° 20' South Latitude, presents the greatest natural advantages for the establishment of a large city and a numerous colony." None of these anticipations, however, have been real ised, and the New Hebrides, yet unoccupied by Europeans, are only resorted to, as we learn, at rare intervals, for car goes of wood from their forests.
Navigators have been so much mistaken regarding the population of the South Sea Islands, as to warn us against listening to conjectures. The inhabitants of Mallicollo were computed at 50,000 in 1773, and those of Tanna at 20,000 ; but we cannot forget, that whits about the same time the population of Otaheite was supposed above 200,000, calculations of tolerable accuracy reduce it at this day to 5000 ; towards which, however, several causes, perhaps unknown to the New Hebridians, may have con tributed. See Torquemada Monarquia Indiana, t. i. p. 738. Dc Brosse's Navigations aux terres australes, t. i. p. 306. t. ii. p. 243, 34.8. Bougainville's Voyage, p. 242. Dalrymple's Historic-al Collection. Cook's Second Voyage. Forster's Voyage, vol. ii. (c)