Arthur too is very much out of sorts, and could not put in an appearance at school to-day. For some months he has suffered from lassitude and weakness, and has been troubled with nasty sores. Fortunately I have a bottle of Hop Bitters with me, the effect of which I am going to try with him. Fancy the popularity of this wonderful tonic when it even finds its way to these distant islands! I have known it used with very beneficial results, and I hope Arthur may improve under its influence and strengthening properties. _Friday, July 30th._--A somewhat idle and prurient curiosity led me with some of our people to ‘Uta’ this morning to witness a sort of masked ball about which I had heard a great deal, and which was supposed to be something quite extraordinary. We started fairly early in the morning, and arrived at the place after a long, hot, and fatiguing walk. The ceremonies were not perfectly arranged when we got there, and we waited a long, weary time. It was mainly through my urging that they began when they did, and after all the affair was disappointing. The initial performance was a song sung by four men to an accompaniment beaten on bamboos, but that was by no means impressive. The females during this performance advanced and squatted around the performers and poor things were almost roasted alive under the blazing rays of the midday sun. When the song was finished the maskers rushed out, 17 in number with very curious and savage-looking head pieces, and petticoats of long sago palm leaves reaching almost to the ground. They presented a very weird and uncanny appearance certainly as they danced forth and back and uttered their gruff “Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh.” I do not wonder at weak minded females and small children being very terrified of them. The head pieces were decided works of art, and very well made. Thirteen were almost entirely of the same make and pattern and are called “Rauwe,” three were again somewhat of a different shape and fashion called “Tamate,” and one very elongated and strangely devised mask also called a ‘Tamate’ completed the list. When the dancing was over which was called ‘Welu,’ the Rauwes rushed flying about all over the place, and the wiser course was to keep out of their way. In former days I believe they carried heavy sticks, or even clubs, and struck at anyone who failed to get out of their way. Boys and females were the chief objects of their attacks, and sometimes considerable injury resulted. Of course if any one retaliated and gave blow for blow, a skrimmage of perhaps serious and general nature resulted, and ended probably in lives being sacrificed.