Mar 23, 1789 Home Logbook Mar 25, 1789
Revised Jun 30 2021
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The first part Light Winds, Calm & fair Wr. in the middle and fresh Gales all the latter. Wind Variable Westerly and NE. Thermr. 79° to 83½°. Dews in the night.
Employed making ready for Sea. Sent Hands to make Hay up in Trusses which we have already cut and dryed. A Party to cut Brooms.
My Friend Tynah left me to day to go into the Country for feathers for the Head peice of the Parrigh he is making for the King. He was not satisfyed with what he had himself, as he thought they were not sufficient, and therefore as he considered it the great excellence of the whole dress, he has undertaken a painful journey to complete it.
In the Districts of Oparre or Matavai Tynah can take any thing he wants or has a liking to: but in other Parts altho he is called their Erreerahigh and is considered as such, he can have nothing but with consent of the resident Cheif.
I have forgot if I have taken notice of the loss of originality in the use, among these People in a great measure, of their implements. It is now a rare thing to see them use any other than Iron Tools. In their natural state they used a peice of Split Bamboo for a Knife, a hard black Stone brought to a blunt edge for an hatchet, and a Splintered peice of the same for a Drill, and their teeth were always sufficient to clear a Cocoa nutt of its rind to give them food and drink. But now they will do nothing without a Knife and a Hatchet. It is however very extraordinary altho they see the valuable use of a Saw that they do not take to the use of them. They prize Needles and Scissars and even Pins they make Hooks of to take small Fish. They are immoderately fond of our Apparel and wear with great pride an old Shoe and an old Stocking, altho it is with the utmost difficulty they can keep the shoe on their foot, and under them the most laughable objects existing.
Mar 23, 1789 Home Logbook Mar 25, 1789