but towards evening the rain ceased | name. Scattered about everywhere and the wind fell; nevertheless it was were clusters of scarlet and cream-colfortunate that we had been invited to ored hibiscus blossom, yellow allaremain all night as the road was re- manda, and fragrant sweet-scented duced to a deplorable condition. After ginger; the posts of the house even a hearty welcome from Mr. and Mrs. being decorated with hibiscus and Stevenson, who were surrounded by frangipani with an art of which the native chiefs, their wives, etc., and a Samoan is master. drink of kava, we were carried away to After having enjoyed the prawns, be suitably decorated for the feast. and in the absence of serviettes, were Ropes of many colored, sweet-smelling wondering what was to happen next, flowers were twisted round our necks we were quite reassured by the appearand waists, and wreaths placed on our ance of the boys, who knelt with a heads. Every one was decked out in basin of water and napkin beside each like manner-our host wearing his guest. Then the feast proceeded right wreath of white jessamine with grace merrily. Every one talked, and the and distinction as if to the manner pretty vivacious native girls laughed born. at the ignorance displayed by the few strangers in their lack of knowledge of what was good to eat and how to do it, and they spared no pains in instructing them. It was our first acquaintance There was When all was ready there was some debate in the household as to the correct procedure, according to native courtesy, for the guests to go into the feast spread in a large native house with the versatile taro. which had just been completed. At taro-root baked like potatoes, taro-root last the intricacies of the Samoan eti- minced and beaten up with cocoanut quette were solved, and away we all milk, and palousame, a great delicacy, trooped, Mr. Stevenson leading the made from the taro leaves and cocoaway with his wife. Coming out of the nut cream. Then a mysterious dish, darkness into the blaze of torchlight a or rather leaf, was handed round which quaintly fantastic sight met our eyes. the Europeans treated coldly, but A native house thatched with branches which was received with marked disof cocoanut palms, layers of palm tinction by the natives. It was a sadleaves on the floor, and those again colored filmy mass, and was considered covered by many finely woven tawny- a great treat, as it consisted of green colored mats. It was difficult to be- worms (palolo), that appear in the sea lieve that the mass of coloring which at certain intervals according to the lay from five to six feet wide on the state of the moon. From time to time ground and stretched from end to end cocoanuts with the tops knocked off of the house was the feast; and it was were presented, and we drank out of only when we had arranged ourselves them and passed them on. At intercross-legged on mats and our eyes be- vals fresh banana leaves were handed came accustomed to the light that we to the guests, and by the time the banrealized the gigantic quantity of food quet was half completed it was found thus spread out. It was entirely a how unnecessary plates were, and native banquet, everything cooked and there might not be a knife or fork in eaten faa Samoa (à la Samoan !) and creation for all any one cared! As for all the eatables laid on banana leaves. French chefs well, nobody ever enThere were dozens of pigs varying joyed a dinner more than the strangers in size from a rabbit to a sofa, the from far away "Peretauia" appreciated latter being the centre piece; quanti-the pleasure of being made welcome at ties of chickens and ducks, every kind such a delightful feast. of native fruit and vegetable, and before each guest a leaf of large pink prawns which are plentiful in the waters from which Vailima takes its When every one had thoroughly enjoyed the island fare, a few appropriate speeches were made. A chief who sat at the foot of the, well -the board or the flour might their tobacco ! after proposing the health of Tusi- | might "give out' tala (the teller of stories), who replied "give out," but in a few kindly words to his island As we sat there, every few minutes friends, commenced the function of picturesque natives flitted across sending round the kava. He would through the blackness, lighting their make no mistake about the order in way with torches; all were smiling and which it should be served. The large excited with the important business on kava bowl was placed before him, and hand. When a deputation of natives taking a small bowl of polished cocoa- announced that the arrangements were nut, filled it with kava while he chanted completed, we adjourned to another in a loud voice to whom it was to be native house, smaller than the one in taken. It was to Tusitala, who clapped which the banquet was held. The his hands while the servitor took it to ground was thickly strewn with mats, him. Before drinking, he held up the and at one side a raised platform was basin, and looking towards his guests, erected on which were about a dozen said Ia manuia ! (Here's to you!) - to natives, all in very gala attire, their which every one answered Soi fua! bodies polished and shining with cocoa(May you live long!) Next it was nut oil, and wearing wreaths and garpassed to Mrs. Louis Stevenson, the lands of hibiscus blossom, their hair same formula of Ia manuia and Soi oiled and elaborately combed out. fua always being repeated; then to They sat in two rows man and Mrs. Stevenson, our host's mother, a woman alternately and behind sat clever, delightful old Scotch lady, who some few who beat drums and chanted heartily toasted all present. Soon the along with the principals in front. We chief shouted in Samoan it was for the all sat on the floor, the tobacco was "new great lady," and the cup was passed round, and we gave ourselves up taken to my friend. Then he ordered to the enjoyment of witnessing the siva the kava to be carried to Matalanu- or native dance. They chanted extemmoana, and while we speculated as to pore verses concerning all present, who that could be, it was brought smil- swaying their supple bodies to the ingly to me. On inquiring what that rhythm, moving their hands and arms meant, it was translated as "the fair in lithe fantastic movements, now fast, young stranger with blue eyes from now slow, and as far as possible illusover the seas!" and to the end of our trating by their actions the bulk of the sojourn in Samoa that name stuck to songs. When the first part was over me, the smallest children rolling it they rose, and the principal actors out! When the kava had been served separately went through whole scenes to every one, we returned to the ve- in pantomime illustrative of playing a randah, while there were mysterious long game of cricket, rowing, and preparations among the natives, of suffering the pangs of starvation. This which we were supposed to know noth-latter was realistically portrayed, and, ing, for another surprise in honor of finally, when the sufferer was fortunate their loved Tusitala. The time was enough to procure food (a banana) he passed pleasantly chatting, and nearly was so far gone that he could not eat. every one smoking cigarettes. The idea was cleverly carried out. At Vailima all are inveterate smok- When the performance was ended ers, and all scorn to smoke anything at least, when Tusitala suggested it but cigarettes made by themselves of was- - for the Samoans would have contheir own American tobacco, and as tinued with repetitions for hours longer Louis Stevenson remarked, "We are we gave the actors a hearty cheer, slaves to our own special brand." and, shaking hands with each one, They had a terrible reminiscence of thanked them cordially for their pains. having run out of their tobacco for, I Then we picked our way through the think, two days, while cruising on dew-laden grass to Vailima, and the board their yacht the Casco. The beef horses were brought round. There was much kicking and plunging, for most of these island horses appear to have a most deep-rooted prejudice against their neighbors' steeds, and there is generally a struggle to get at each other, obviously to have it out there and then and the matter settled. It was an animated and picturesque scene dozens of slim, wiry horses for most of the people had brought servants who rode also-gaily clad natives flitting hither and thither, and the fitful glare from the torches throwing fantastic lights and shadows over all. After much excitement and no little merriment and a good stirrup-cup, all were mounted, and one by one trotted out into the night - from whence shouts of good-night, To faa, Soi fua, came ringing back. The Samoan guests were soon out of ear-shot, but it was some little time before the voices of the officers of an English warship-two or three of whom had been present at the fête - died away. It was their first visit to Vailima, and they evidently experienced great diffi "Heaven knows! but my brute seems to know where every tree with prickles exists on the island." However, after a little forcible and authoritative language concerning thorntrees and island-horses in general, all was silence. So we returned to the dining-room, where our wreaths were doffed, and after talking over the events of the evening, we suddenly discovered how tired and sleepy we all were; so, bidding one another good-night, we each drifted off with a lantern to our mats and mosquito nets. But what a delightful recollection the forty-second birthday party of our brilliant author will always be to the few who had the good fortune to be preseut! THE SOCIAL BORE.-Ours is an age of universal toleration; the vicious and the saint, the agnostic and the fanatic, have all a social welcome extended to them, and an itching ear is always at their service, so long as they are amusing, but no longer. Society has but one terror, but it is one which dogs its steps through the day and far into the night; it is a fear before which the stoutest heart fails, and the man who has fled from any company, if questioned as to the reasons for his flight, has only to offer one excuse, and his offence is at once condoned. He has but to say that he was bored, or feared that he might be bored, or that he knew an army of bores awaited him in those regions to which his steps were for the moment ordered, and only the eccentric or the imbecile question the propriety or the necessity for his precipitate retreat. If we are asked as to whether this state of things is a wholesome one, showing that society is in a healthy and regenerate state, we can confidently affirm that the attitude is one of grace, and is not necessarily contrary to Christian doctrine and practice. If there is an injunction to turn the other cheek to the smiter, there is no command to present either ear for the use of that enemy of mankind, the social bore. But there is a command that a check should be kept on the unruly member, and it is certainly a Christian act to assist the unhappy owner to control this member by giving him nothing to exercise it upon. Further we are told to live at peace with all men, and to cultivate bores is to feel out of charity with the whole world. Sometimes one bore will frequent the society of another, whose tiresomeness, differing from his own, he is quite able to perceive, but whose intimacy he cultivates because he finds that by listening to his diffuse discourses he receives a similar kindness for himself. These natural selections should not be interfered with; bores should by a gentle process of weeding out be placed together, and should be encouraged to bore each other, for that is usually not their ideal of amusement. VII. THE TICKING OF THE CLOCK. By Mrs. Alfred Baldwin, The Abbé Prévost, Longman's Magazine, Macmillan's Magazine, Longman's Magazine, VIII. HAMPSTEAD HEATH. Вy Phil Robinson, Contemporary Review, "FAILED," SONG OF THE SEASONS, POETRY. 258 SONNET, PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY LITTELL & CO., BOSTON. 259 265 274 283 TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. For EIGHT DOLLARS remitted directly to the Publishers, the LIVING AGE will be punctually forwarded for a year, free of postage. Remittances should be made by bank draft or check, or by post-office money-order, if possible. If neither of these can be procured, the money should be sent in a registered letter. All postmasters are obliged to register letters when requested to do so. Drafts, checks, and money-orders should be made payable to the order of LITTELL & CO. Single copies of the LIVING AGE, 18 cents. · FAILED.” FAILED of the goal which once had been my aim, The distant port for which I once had I think the graven words above my name Failed to achieve the vision and the quest, Beyond all price : Failed to retain the birthright, having sold Paying the wage of God's eternal gold Failed of the purity that purges sight, The faith that nourishes with daily bread; Failed of the hand that reaches through the night To guide our tread. While cattle in the pool hard by Their burning feet are laving; With manhood's strong endeavor, And spring is gone forever. When apples drop from laden trees And golden sheaves are binding; In golden light abiding; Oh! then we feel glad autumn's glow, When winds are roaring high and shrill Failed, having laid his hand upon the When holly berries bright and red WHEN trees are greening overhead When daisies bend beneath our tread When streams are leaping fresh and bright Their songs of love are singing; Our hearts beat strong and lightly, For all around, in robes of spring, Fair earth, she smileth brightly. Among the reeds and sedges; SONNET. I THINK the immortal servants of mankind, Who, from their graves, watch by how slow degrees The World-Soul greatens with the cen- Mourn most man's barren levity of mind,— The witless thirst for false wit's worth |