Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1835. HAKSII USAGE OF INFIHM. 551 unkind, and utterly inattentive to the old and infirm : — they were yet worse : they scrupled not to destroy their aged or sick, yes, even their parents, if disabled by age or by sickness.* Mr. Wilson assured me that in former times, Avhon a person had lingered in sickness, they would carry him to the water- side, under pretence of bathing him, dig a hole, and bury him alive ! Thus they ended the life of a young man who had been servant to Mr. Wilson, until he sickened, and, by the natives, was supposed to be dying. Mr. Wilson tried all he could do, in the way of medical assistance, and had hopes of his recovery, when he suddenly disappeared : and not until a long time afterwards could he ascertain the horrid cruelty of which the natives had been guilty ! That they do not even now pay that attention to infirm old age which, in our estimation, is a sacred duty, may be in- ferred from the following anecdote. Mr. Stokes rambled into a secluded spot near Matavai, where, surrounded by old trees, stood a small and tottering hut. On a filthy worn-out mat, lay a venerable looking old man, hardly covered by a ragged cloth. His only friend, an aged hobbling dog, limped to his side as if hoping that his example would excite some one to show compassion to the old man, his master. The helpless state of this poor sufferer, whose legs were swollen by elephantiasis to an unwieldy bulk, and his utter destitution, induced Mr. Stokes to make immediate inquiries, and endeavour to get him relieved from some of his misery. It was ascertained that a daughter and son-in-law were usually living with him, but the new 'manua' had engrossed their attention, and the poor father had been left to the care of his faitliful though helpless dog ! At Matavai the memory of the captain of H.M.S. ' Racoon,' known as the ' long captain,' also as ' Tapane matapo,' or ' Captain blind eye,' is still cherished. The conduct of both him and the officers of the Racoon, seems to have highly de- lighted all classes. How pleasant it is to hear a countryman, * From enquiries made among the missionaries and natives, I con- vinced myself of this startling- fact.