Some Account of New Zealand/Chapter 4
Chap. IV.
The natives of New Zealand, at least the part of it I visited, are of a very superior order, both in point of personal appearance and intellectual endowments.
The men are usually from five feet eight inches to six feet in height; well proportioned, and exhibit evident marks of great strength.
The colour of the natives, taken as a mean, resembles that of an European gipsy; but there is considerable difference in the shades, varying between a dark chesnut and the light agreeable tinge of an English brunette.
Their countenances are in general open; and though you are not alarmed by any marks of savage ferocity, you clearly discover signs of undaunted courage, and a resolution not easily shaken.
The workings of the mind are readily discernable in most instances; but this country is not without its dissemblers; and particularly among those advanced in life are to be found some who can smile, and assent to your opinion, when their natural feelings dictate a frown, and a decided disapprobation of your conduct or sentiments.
The natives have a great aversion from spirits, and I do not find that they have any mode of intoxication among them; they are consequently robust, cheerful, and active, and probably, in many instances, live to a great age.
I observed, that in a few persons the appearances of longevity were very strongly marked, though it is impossible to speak with certainty upon the subject, there being no positive criterion for determining the age of man. In some instances we observe all the characteristics of old age at a very early period of life, while in others juvenility is protracted to an advanced stage.
Returning from this digression, I must say something of the fair part of the creation of the Bay of Islands, and there is really no great impropriety in the term, for many of the women were scarcely to be denominated brunettes. Their features in general are regular and pleasing, with long black hair, and dark penetrating eyes. The tattooing of their lips, and the quantity of oil and red earth with which they anoint their persons and hair, would not be agreeable to the taste of a refined European; but I can conceive to a New Zealand lover, their well-formed figure, the interesting cast of their countenance, and the sweet tone of their voice, must render them extremely desirable companions, to soothe his cares, and strew his path through life with flowers: for savage life has its cares and perplexities as well as that of the polished native of the most enlightened country. Having given some account of the inhabitants of New Zealand, I shall proceed to say something of their religion and government, their occupations and amusements, and their ordinary customs and habits of life.