A NATIVE LEGEND -- THE RAT GOD, AND HIS MISHAPS ON A JOURNEY -- EVASION OF A HUMILIATING CUSTOM -- MODERN CHANGES OF GOVERNMENT -- THE VARIOUS RANKS OF CHIEFS AND PEOPLE -- THE SYSTEM OF VASU, OR NEPOTISM EXTRAORDINARY -- SINGULAR POWER OF THE VASU -- THE SYSTEM A HINDRANCE TO INDUSTRY -- THE VASU AS AN AMBASSADOR -- PAYMENT OF TAXES -- PRESENTATION OF THE CANOE -- TRIBUTE PAID IN KIND AND IN LABOR -- THE TENURE OF LAND -- A SINGULAR CUSTOM -- ATTACHMENT TO THE SOIL -- THE DISAPPOINTED PURCHASER -- THE FAMILY THE TYPE OF FIJIAN GOVERNMENT -- CODE OF ETIQUETTE AMONG THE FIJIANS -- THE COURT LANGUAGE -- THE “TAMA,” AND ITS MODIFICATIONS -- MEETING A SUPERIOR -- THE “BALEMURI” CUSTOM -- THE POLITE NATIVE WHO DID NOT GET A MUSKET -- HOW GREAT CHIEFS VISIT EACH OTHER -- ORATORY, AND MODES OF GREETING -- STRICTNESS OF THE CODE OF ETIQUETTE -- THE YOUNG CHIEF AND THE GUANA’S TAIL -- A FIJIAN FEAST -- THE VAST OVENS, AND MODE OF MAKING THEM -- PREPARATIONS FOR THE FEAST -- ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BANQUET -- VARIETY OF DISHES -- MODE OF DRINKING -- HOW TO OPEN A COCOA-NUT -- CANNIBALISM -- THE KING THAKOMBAU -- PRESUMED ORIGIN OF CANNIBALISM -- NATIVE LEGEND -- THE CANNIBAL FORKS -- OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUMAN SACRIFICES -- “TAKING DOWN THE MAST” -- AN UNFORTUNATE MISTAKE. Owing to the geographical nature of the Fiji group, which consists of seven groups of islands, some of them very large and some very small, the mode of government has never been monarchical, the country being ruled by a number of chiefs of greater or less importance, according to the amount of territory over which their sway extended. The various islands had in former days but little connection with each other. At the present time, more intercourse takes place, and in one instance the visit involves a singular and ludicrous ceremonial. One of the gods belonging to Somo-somo, named Ng-gurai, went to visit Mbau a spot on the eastern coast of Viti Lemi, one of the greater islands, and to pay his respects to the god of that place. He was accompanied by a Vuna god named Vatu-Mundre, who gave him a bamboo by way of a vessel, and undertook to guide him on his journey. Ng-gurai then entered into the body of a rat, seated himself on the bamboo, and set off on his journey. After they had sailed for some time, Ng-gurai lost his way on account of wanting to call at every island which he passed, and at last, just as he arrived on the Mbau shore, he was washed off the bamboo and nearly drowned in the surf. From this fate he was rescued by a Mbau woman, who took him into the chiefs house, and put him among the cooks on the hearth, where he sat shivering for four days. Meanwhile, Vatu-Mundre arrived at his destination, and was received in royal manner by the Mbau god, who tried in vain to induce him to become tributary to him.