Their clean, tidy, and healthy
appearance, like that of the dairy-maids in England, formed a
wonderful contrast with the women of the filthy hovels in
Kororadika. The wives of the missionaries tried to persuade them
not to be tattooed; but a famous operator having arrived from the
south, they said, "We really must just have a few lines on our
lips; else when we grow old, our lips will shrivel, and we shall be
so very ugly." There is not nearly so much tattooing as formerly;
but as it is a badge of distinction between the chief and the
slave, it will probably long be practised. So soon does any train
of ideas become habitual, that the missionaries told me that even
in their eyes a plain face looked mean, and not like that of a New
Zealand gentleman.
Late in the evening I went to Mr. Williams's house, where I passed
the night. I found there a large party of children, collected
together for Christmas Day, and all sitting round a table at tea. I
never saw a nicer or more merry group; and to think that this was
in the centre of the land of cannibalism, murder, and all atrocious
crimes! The cordiality and happiness so plainly pictured in the
faces of the little circle appeared equally felt by the older
persons of the mission.
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