The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World. Vol. VI. Being the Second of the Third Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
One cause of this may be their indolence, which seems considerable. But,
on the other hand, they are certainly not wholly unsusceptible of the
tender passions; if we may judge from their being so fond of music,
which is mostly of the grave or serious, but truly pathetic sort. They
keep the exactest concert in their songs, which are often sung by great
numbers together, as those already mentioned, with which they used to
entertain us in their canoes. These are generally slow and solemn; but
the music is not of that confined sort found amongst many rude nations;
for the variations are very numerous and expressive, and the cadence or
melody powerfully soothing. Besides their full concerts, sonnets of the
same grave cast were frequently sung by single performers, who keep time
by striking the hand against the thigh. However, the music was sometimes
varied, from its predominant solemnity of air; and there were instances
of stanzas being sung in a more gay and lively strain, and even with a
degree of humour.
The only instruments of music (if such they may be called) which I saw
amongst them, were a rattle; and a small whistle, about an inch long,
incapable of any variation, from having but one hole. They use the
rattle when they sing; but upon what occasions they use the whistle, I
know not, unless it be when they dress themselves like particular
animals, and endeavour to imitate their howl or cry. I once saw one of
them dressed in a wolf’s skin, with the head over his own, and imitating
that animal, by making a squeaking noise with one of these whistles,
which he had in his mouth. The rattles are, for the most part, made in
the shape of a bird, with a few pebbles in the belly; and the tail is
the handle. They have others, however, that bear rather more resemblance
to a child’s rattle.
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