Some of the old _mékés_ are not considered desirable, as, for example, that dance of death which accompanied the carrying of dead bodies to the temple, preparatory to cooking them, and others of heathen or immoral association. The schools are therefore encouraged to select new subjects. So they gave us a dance and pantomime all about the capture of Jerusalem, and very curious it was. Then they went through very creditable Scriptural examination and recitation, with some reading and writing, and finished off with a most extraordinary method of spelling and doing mental arithmetic. I cannot attempt to describe it, further than to say that though all the scholars as usual sat on the ground, the whole body was in perpetual motion, swaying from side to side, each row in opposite directions. There was incessant clapping of hands, now on one side, now on the other, now on the ground, now in mid-air, and all in measured time; while the calculations were shouted aloud, and apparently produced a correct result. The action gone through for the spelling and arithmetic lesson was quite different, though wholly indescribable. In all these movements the most accurate time is marked. In some schools geography is also taught, the lesson being a series of chanted questions and answers, which, however musical, can scarcely be expected to convey much meaning to the mind of the Fijian, who assuredly believes his own isles to be the greatest and most important in the world. At the close of the proceedings, each scholar approached in turn, and stripping off his or her green wreaths, laid them in a heap at our feet, whence they were removed by the boatmen for their own adornment. Such is a school examination in Fiji. As for the missionary meetings, they by no means resemble those held in Exeter Hall! They are simply great days of native merry-making, when the missionaries very wisely encourage the people to keep up the most popular and innocent of their national games and dances, and when all who attend bring offerings according to their ability and inclination.