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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780486831756 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Dover Publications |
| Publication date: | 09/18/2019 |
| Series: | Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels |
| Pages: | 304 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.00(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d) |
About the Author
Date of Birth:
August 1, 1819Date of Death:
September 28, 1891Place of Birth:
New York, New YorkPlace of Death:
New York, New YorkEducation:
Attended the Albany Academy in Albany, New York, until age 15Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
The Sea — Longings for Shore — A Land-sick Ship — Destination of the Voyagers — The Marquesas — Adventure of a Missionary's Wife among the Savages — Characteristic Anecdote of the Queen of Nukuheva.
Six months at sea! Yes, reader, as I live, six months out of sight of land; cruising after the sperm-whale beneath the scorching sun of the Line, and tossed on the billows of the wide-rolling Pacific — the sky above, the sea around, and nothing else! Weeks and weeks ago our fresh provisions were all exhausted. There is not a sweet potato left; not a single yam. Those glorious bunches of bananas which once decorated our stern and quarter-deck have, alas, disappeared! and the delicious oranges which hung suspended from our tops and stays — they, too, are gone! Yes, they are all departed, and there is nothing left us but salt-horse and sea-biscuit. Oh! ye state-room sailors, who make so much ado about a fourteen-days' passage across the Atlantic; who so pathetically relate the privations and hardships of the sea, where, after a day of breakfasting, lunching, dining off five courses, chatting, playing whist, and drinking champagne-punch, it was your hard lot to be shut up in little cabinets of mahogany and maple, and sleep for ten hours, with nothing to disturb you but "those good-for-nothing tars, shouting and tramping over head," — what would you say to our six months out of sight of land?
Oh! for a refreshing glimpse of one blade of grass — for a snuff at the fragrance of a handful of the loamy earth! Is there nothing fresh around us? Is there no green thing to be seen? Yes, the inside of our bulwarks is painted green; but what a vile and sickly hue it is, as if nothing bearing even the semblance of verdure could flourish this weary way from land. Even the bark that once clung to the wood we use for fuel has been gnawed off and devoured by the captain's pig; and so long ago, too, that the pig himself has in turn been devoured.
There is but one solitary tenant in the chicken-coop, once a gay and dapper young cock, bearing him so bravely among the coy hens. But look at him now; there he stands, moping all the day long on that everlasting one leg of his. He turns with disgust from the mouldy corn before him, and the brackish water in his trough. He mourns no doubt his lost companions, literally snatched from him one by one, and never seen again. But his days of mourning will be few; for Mungo, our black cook, told me yesterday that the word had at last gone forth, and poor Pedro's fate was sealed. His attenuated body will be laid out upon the captain's table next Sunday, and long before night will be buried, with all the usual ceremonies, beneath that worthy individual's vest. Who would believe that there could be any one so cruel as to long for the decapitation of the luckless Pedro; yet the sailors pray every minute, selfish fellows, that the miserable fowl may be brought to his end. They say the captain will never point the ship for the land so long as he has in anticipation a mess of fresh meat. This unhappy bird can alone furnish it; and when he is once devoured, the captain will at once come to his senses. I wish thee no harm, Peter; but as thou art doomed, sooner or later, to meet the fate of all thy race; and if putting a period to thy existence is to be the signal for our deliverance, why — truth to speak — I wish thy throat cut this very moment; for, oh! how I wish to see the living earth again! The old ship herself longs to look out upon the land from her hawse-holes once more, and Jack Lewis said right the other day when the captain found fault with his steering.
"Why, d'ye see, Captain Vangs," says bold Jack, "I'm as good a helmsman as ever put hand to spoke; but none of us can steer the old lady now. We can't keep her full and bye, sir: watch her ever so close, she will fall off; and then, sir, when I put the helm down so gently, and try like to coax her to the work, she won't take it kindly, but will fall round off again; and it's all because she knows the land is under the lee, sir, and she won't go any more to windward." Aye, and why should she, Jack? didn't every one of her stout timbers grow on shore, and hasn't she sensibilities; as well as we?
Poor old ship! Her very looks denote her desires! how deplorably she appears! The paint on her sides, burnt up by the scorching sun, is puffed out and cracked. See the weeds she trails along with her, and what an unsightly bunch of those horrid barnacles has formed about her stern-piece; and every time she rises on a sea, she shows her copper torn away, or hanging in jagged strips.
Poor old ship! I say again: for six months she has been rolling and pitching about, never for one moment at rest. But courage, old lass, I hope to see thee soon within a biscuit's toss of the merry land, riding snugly at anchor in some green cove, and sheltered from the boisterous winds.
"Hurra, my lads! It's a settled thing; next week we shape our course to the Marquesas!" The Marquesas! What strange visions of outlandish things does the very name spirit up! Naked houris — cannibal banquets — groves of cocoa-nut — coral reefs — tattooed chiefs — and bamboo temples; sunny valleys planted with bread-fruit trees — carved canoes dancing on the flashing blue waters — savage woodlands guarded by horrible idols — heathenish rites and human sacrifices.
Such were the strangely jumbled anticipations that haunted me during our passage from the cruising ground. I felt an irresistible curiosity to see those islands which the olden voyagers had so glowingly described.
The group for which we were now steering (although among the earliest of European discoveries in the South Seas, having been first visited in the year 1595) still continues to be tenanted by beings as strange and barbarous as ever. The missionaries, sent on a heavenly errand, had sailed by their lovely shores, and had abandoned them to their idols of wood and stone. How interesting the circumstances under which they were discovered! In the watery path of Mendaña, cruising in quest of some region of gold, these isles had sprung up like a scene of enchantment, and for a moment the Spaniard believed his bright dream was realised. In honour of the Marquess de Mendoza, then viceroy of Peru, — under whose auspices the navigator sailed, — he bestowed upon them the name which denoted the rank of his patron, and gave to the world on his return a vague and magnificent account of their beauty. But these islands, undisturbed for years, relapsed into their previous obscurity; and it is only recently that anything has been known concerning them. Once in the course of a half-century, to be sure, some adventurous rover would break in upon their peaceful repose, and, astonished at the unusual scene, would be almost tempted to claim the merit of a new discovery.
Of this interesting group, but little account has ever been given, if we except the slight mention made of them in the sketches of South Sea voyages. Cook, in his repeated circumnavigations of the globe, barely touched at their shores; and all that we know about them is from a few general narratives. Among these, there are two that claim particular notice. Porter's "Journal of the Cruise of the U. S. Frigate Essex, in the Pacific, during the late War," is said to contain some interesting particulars concerning the islanders. This is a work, however, which I have never happened to meet with; and Stewart, the chaplain of the American sloop of war Vincennes, has likewise devoted a portion of his book, entitled "A Visit to the South Seas," to the same subject.
Within the last few years American and English vessels engaged in the extensive whale fisheries of the Pacific have occasionally, when short of provisions, put into the commodious harbour which there is in one of the islands; but a fear of the natives, founded on a recollection of the dreadful fate which many white men have received at their hands, has deterred their crews from intermixing with the population sufficiently to gain any insight into their peculiar customs and manners.
The Protestant Missions appear to have despaired of reclaiming these islands from heathenism. The usage they have in every case received from the natives has been such as to intimidate the boldest of their number. Ellis, in his "Polynesian Researches," gives some interesting accounts of the abortive attempts made by the Tahiti Mission to establish a branch Mission upon certain islands of the group. A short time before my visit to the Marquesas, a somewhat amusing incident took place in connection with these efforts which I cannot avoid relating.
An intrepid missionary, undaunted by the ill-success that had attended all previous endeavours to conciliate the savages, and believing much in the efficacy of female influence, introduced among them his young and beautiful wife, the first white woman who had ever visited their shores. The islanders at first gazed in mute admiration at so unusual a prodigy, and seemed inclined to regard it as some new divinity. But after a short time, becoming familiar with its charming aspect, and jealous of the folds which encircled its form, they sought to pierce the sacred veil of calico in which it was enshrined, and in the gratification of their curiosity so far overstepped the limits of good breeding, as deeply to offend the lady's sense of decorum. Her sex once ascertained, their idolatry was changed into contempt; and there was no end to the contumely showered upon her by the savages, who were exasperated at the deception which they conceived had been practised upon them. To the horror of her affectionate spouse, she was stripped of her garments, and given to understand that she could no longer carry on her deceits with impunity. The gentle dame was not sufficiently evangelised to endure this, and, fearful of further improprieties, she forced her husband to relinquish his undertaking, and together they returned to Tahiti.
Not thus shy of exhibiting her charms was the Island Queen herself, the beauteous wife of Mowanna, the king of Nukuheva. Between two and three years after the adventures recorded in this volume, I chanced, while aboard of a man-of-war, to touch at these islands. The French had then held possession of the Marquesas some time, and already prided themselves upon the beneficial effects of their jurisdiction, as discernible in the deportment of the natives. To be sure, in one of their efforts at reform they had slaughtered about a hundred and fifty of them at Whitihoo — but let that pass. At the time I mention, the French squadron was rendezvousing in the bay of Nukuheva, and during an interview between one of their captains and our worthy Commodore, it was suggested by the former, that we, as the flag-ship of the American squadron, should receive in state a visit from the royal pair. The French officer likewise represented, with evident satisfaction, that under their tuition the king and queen had imbibed proper notions of their elevated station, and on all ceremonious occasions conducted themselves with suitable dignity. Accordingly, preparations were made to give their majesties a reception on board in a style corresponding with their rank.
One bright afternoon a gig, gayly bedizened with streamers, was observed to shove off from the side of one of the French frigates, and pull directly for our gangway. In the stern sheets reclined Mowanna and his consort. As they approached, we paid them all the honours due to royalty; — manning our yards, firing a salute, and making a prodigious hubbub.
They ascended the accommodation ladder, were greeted by the Commodore, hat in hand, and passing along the quarter-deck, the marine guard presented arms, while the band struck up "The King of the Cannibal Islands." So far all went well. The French officers grimaced and smiled in exceedingly high spirits, wonderfully pleased with the discreet manner in which these distinguished personages behaved themselves.
Their appearance was certainly calculated to produce an effect. His majesty was arrayed in a magnificent military uniform, stiff with gold lace and embroidery, while his shaven crown was concealed by a huge chapeau bras, waving with ostrich plumes. There was one slight blemish, however, in his appearance. A broad patch of tattooing stretched completely across his face, in a line with his eyes, making him look as if he wore a huge pair of goggles; and royalty in goggles suggested some ludicrous ideas. But it was in the adornment of the fair person of his dark-complexioned spouse that the tailors of the fleet had evinced the gayety of their national taste. She was habited in a gaudy tissue of scarlet cloth, trimmed with yellow silk, which, descending a little below the knees, exposed to view her bare legs, embellished with spiral tattooing, and somewhat resembling two miniature Trajan's columns. Upon her head was a fanciful turban of purple velvet, figured with silver sprigs, and surmounted by a tuft of variegated feathers.
The ship's company, crowding into the gangway to view the sight, soon arrested her majesty's attention. She singled out from their number an old salt, whose bare arms and feet, and exposed breast were covered with as many inscriptions in India ink as the lid of an Egyptian sarcophagus. Notwithstanding all the sly hints and remonstrances of the French officers, she immediately approached the man, and pulling further open the bosom of his duck frock, and rolling up the leg of his wide trousers, she gazed in admiration at the bright blue and vermilion pricking thus disclosed to view. She hung over the fellow, caressing him, and expressing her delight in a variety of wild exclamations and gestures. The embarrassment of the polite Gauls at such an unlooked-for occurrence may be easily imagined; but picture their consternation, when all at once the royal lady, eager to display the hieroglyphics on her own sweet form, bent forward for a moment, and turning sharply round, threw up the skirts of her mantle, and revealed a sight from which the aghast Frenchmen retreated precipitately, and tumbling into their boat, fled the scene of so shocking a catastrophe.
CHAPTER 2Passage from the Cruising Ground to the Marquesas — Sleepy Times aboard Ship — South Sea Scenery — Land ho! — The French Squadron discovered at anchor in the Bay of Nukuheva — Strange Pilot — Escort of Canoes — A Flotilla of Cocoa-nuts — Swimming Visitors — The Dolly boarded by them — State of Affairs that ensue.
I can never forget the eighteen or twenty days during which the light trade-winds were silently sweeping us towards the islands. In pursuit of the sperm-whale, we had been cruising on the line some twenty degrees to the westward of the Gallipagos; and all that we had to do, when our course was determined on, was to square in the yards and keep the vessel before the breeze, and then the good ship and the steady gale did the rest between them. The man at the wheel never vexed the old lady with any superfluous steering, but comfortably adjusting his limbs at the tiller, would doze away by the hour. True to her work, the Dolly headed to her course, and like one of those characters who always do the best when let alone, she jogged on her way like a veteran old sea-pacer as she was.
What a delightful, lazy, languid time we had whilst we were thus gliding along! There was nothing to be done; a circumstance that happily suited our disinclination to do anything. We abandoned the fore-peak altogether, and spreading an awning over the forecastle, slept, ate, and lounged under it the live-long day. Every one seemed to be under the influence of some narcotic. Even the officers aft, whose duty required them never to be seated while keeping a deck watch, vainly endeavoured to keep on their pins; and were obliged invariably to compromise the matter by leaning up against the bulwarks, and gazing abstractedly over the side. Reading was out of the question; take a book in your hand, and you were asleep in an instant.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Typee"
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER I The Sea Longings for Shore A Land-sick Ship Destination of the Voyagers The Marquesas Adventure of a Missionary's Wife among the Savages Characteristic Anecdote of the Queen of Nukuheva CHAPTER II. Passage from the Cruising Ground to the Marquesas Sleepy Times aboard Ship South Sea Scenery Land ho ! The French Squadron discovered at anchor in the Bay of Nukuheva Strange Pilot Escort of Canoes A Flotilla of Cocoa-nuts Swimming Visitors. The Dolly boarded by them State of Affairs that ensue CHAPTER III. Some Account of the Late Operations of the French at the Marquesas Prudent Conduct of the Admiral Sensation produced by the Arrival of the Strangers The First Horse seen by the Islanders Reflections Miserable Subterfuge of the French Digression concerning Tahiti Seizure of the Island by the Admiral Spirited Conduct of an English Lady 21 CHAPTER IV. State of Affairs aboard the Ship Contents of her Larder Length of South Seamen's Voyages Account of a Flying Whale-man Determination to leave the Vessel The Bay of Nukuheva The Typees Invasion of their Valley by Porter Reflections Glen of Tior Interview between the Old King and the French Admiral CHAPTER V. Thoughts previous to attempting an Escape Toby, a Fellow Sailor, agrees to share the Adventure Last Night aboard the Ship . CHAPTER VI. A Specimen of Nautical Oratory Criticism of the Sailors The Starboard Watch are given a Holiday The Escape to the Mountains CHAPTER VII. The other side of the Mountain Disappointment Inventory of Articles brought from the Ship Division of the Stock of Bread Appearance of the Interior of the Island A Discovery A Ravine and Waterfalls A sleepless Night Further Discoveries My Illness A Marquesan Landscape CHAPTER VIII. The Important Question, Typee or Happar? A Wild-Goose ChaseMy Sufferings Disheartening Situation A Night in a Ravine Morning Meal Happy Idea of Toby Journey towards the Valley CHAPTER IX. Perilous Passage of the Ravine Descent into the Valley CHAPTER X. The Head of the Valley Cautious Advance A Path Fruit Discovery of Two of the Natives Their Singular Conduct Approach towards the Inhabited Parts of the Vale Sensation produced by our Appearance Reception at the House of one of the Natives CHAPTER XI. Midnight Reflections Morning Visitors A Warrior in Costume A Savage AEsculapius Practice of the Healing Art Body Servant A Dwelling-house of the Valley described Portraits of its Inmates CHAPTER XII. Officiousness of Kory-Kory His Devotion A Bath in the Stream Want of Refinement of the Typee Damsels Stroll with Mehevi ATypee Highway The Taboo Groves The Hoolah Hoolah Ground The Ti Time-worn Savages Hospitality of Mehevi Midnight Misgivings Adventure in the Dark Distinguished Honours paid to the Visitors Strange Procession and Return to the House of Marheyo CHAPTER XIII. Attempt to procure Relief from Nukuheva Perilous Adventure of Toby in the Happar Mountain Eloquence of Kory-Kory . CHAPTER XIV. A great Event happens in the Valley The Island Telegraph Something befalls Toby Fayaway displays a tender Heart Melancholy Reflections Mysterious Conduct of the Islanders Devotion of Kory-Kory A rural Couch A Luxury Kory-Kory strikes a Light el la Typee CHAPTER XV. Kindness of Marheyo and the rest of the Islanders A full Description of the Bread-fruit Tree Different Modes of preparing the Fruit CHAPTER XVI. Melancholy Condition Occurrence at the Ti Anecdote of Marheyo Shaving the Head of a Warrior CHAPTER XVII. Improvement in Health and Spirits Felicity of the Typees Their Enjoyments compared with those of more enlightened Communities Comparative Wickedness of civilised and unenlightened People A Skirmish in the Mountain with the Warriors of Happar CHAPTER XVIII. Swimming in company with the Girls of the Valley A Canoe Effects of the Taboo A pleasure Excursion on the Pond Beautiful Freak of Fayaway Mantua-making A Stranger arrives in the Valley His mysterious conduct Native Oratory The Interview Its Results Departure of the Stranger CHAPTER XIX. Reflections after Marnoo's Departure Battle of the Pop-guns Strange Conceit of Marheyo Process of making Tappa . CHAPTER XX. History of a Day as usually spent in the Typee Valley Dances of the Marquesan Girls CHAPTER XXI. The Spring of Arva Wai Remarkable Monumental Remains Some Ideas with regard to the History of Pi-pis found in the Valley CHAPTER XXII. Preparations for a Grand Festival in the Valley Strange Doings in the Taboo Groves Monument of Calabashes Gala Costume of the Typee Damsels Departure for the Festival CHAPTER XXIII. The Feast of Calabashes CHAPTER XXIV. Ideas suggested by the Feast of Calabashes Inaccuracy of certain published Accounts of the Islands A Reason Neglected State of Heathenism in the Valley Effigy of a dead Warrior A singular Superstition The Priest Kolory and the God Moa Artua Amazing Religious Observance A dilapidated Shrine Kory-Kory and the Idol An Inference CHAPTER XXV. Gieneral Information gathered at the Festival Personal Beauty of the Typees Their Superiority over the Inhabitants of the other Islands Diversity of Complexion A vegetable Cosmetic and Ointment Testimony of Voyagers to the uncommon Beauty of the Marquesans Few Evidences of Intercourse with civilised Beings Dilapidated Musket Primitive Simplicity of Government Regal Dignity of Mehevi CHAPTER XXVI. King Mehevi Allusion to his Hawaiian Majesty Conduct of Marheyo and Mehevi in certain Delicate Matters Peculiar System of Marriage Number of Population Uniformity Embalming Places of Sepulchre Funeral Obsequies at Nukuheva Number of Inhabitants in Typee Location of the Dwellings Happiness enjoyed in the Valley A Warning Some Ideas with regard to the Civilisation of the Islands Reference to the Present State of the Hawaiians Fashionable Equipages at Oahu Reflections CHAPTER XXVII. The Social Conditions and general Character of the Typees . CHAPTER XXVIII. Fishing Parties Mode of distributing the Fish Midnight Banquet Timekeeping Tapers Unceremonious style of eating the Fish CHAPTER XXIX. Natural History of the Valley Golden Lizards Tameness of the Birds Mosquitos Flies Dogs A solitary Cat The Climate The Cocoa-nut Tree Singular modes of climbing it An agile young Chief Fearlessness of the Children Too-Too and the Cocoa-nut Tree The Birds of the Valley CHAPTER XXX. A Professor of the Fine Arts His Persecutions Something about TattQQin M:d Tabooing Two Anecdotes in illustration of the latter A few thoughts on the Typee Dialect CHAPTER XXXI. Strange Custom of the Islanders Their Chanting, and the Peculiarity of their Voice Rapture of the King at first hearing a Song A New Dignity conferred on the Author Musical Instruments in the Valley Admiration of the Savages at beholding a Pugilistic Performance Swimming Infant Beautiful Tresses of the GirlsOintment for the Hair . CHAPTER XXXII. Apprehensions of Evil Frightful Discovery Some Remarks on CannibalismSecond Battle with the Happars Savage Spectacle Mysterious Feast Subsequent Disclosures CHAPTER XXXIII. The Stranger again arrives in the Valley Singular Interview with him Attempt to Escape Failure Melancholy Situation Sympathy of Marheyo CHAPTER XXXIV. The Escape THE STORY OF TOBYWhat People are Saying About This
Melville at his best invariably wrote from a sort of dream self, so that events which he relates of actual facts have a far deeper reference to his own soul and his own inner life.
We are, perhaps, after a century of literary wasteland, able to read not only a personal predicament but a general truth in Melville's blasted island, bedeviled ships, misshapen houses, falling towers, kicking tables, and blank brick city walls. The appetite for truth is what gives Melville's narrative a persistent interest and, even under the spell of discouragement, that untoward verbal energy...like Billy Budd, Melville when a sailor on a man-of-war was a top man, at home on the highest yarns, enjoying the ride of few...Melville instinctively aspired to the grandest scale, and even his shorter works offers vast inklings and resonance of cosmic concerns.