Tahiti: The Island ParadiseW. B. Conkey, 1906 - 254 pages Author's signed and corrected ms., dated 1906 in Chicago, of a three-volume account of his journey to Tahiti in the winter of 1904. Dr. Senn begins with a description of his voyage across the Pacific from San Francisco aboard the steamer "Mariposa." As they approach Tahiti and Moorea after a voyage of 12 or 13 days, the author observes the string of atoll islands, with their coral formations and central lagoons fringed by cocoa palms. Because of the dangerous reefs, a native pilot is used to guide the ship safely into the harbor of Papeete. The author includes notes on the racial background, nature, and customs of the natives, as well as the sights of Papeete, such as the communal laundry washbasin, the plaza marketplace, king's palace, government school, and cathedral. There is also a lengthy section on the climate, terrain, and natural beauties of the island. Dr. Senn discusses the history of Tahiti and its rulers, and the experiences of early white visitors to the island, such as Capt. Cook of the "Endeavor" in 1769, Capt Bligh of the "Bounty" in 1788, and English missionaries in 1797. Other topics covered include education, religion, funeral ceremonies, and business in Tahiti; diseases of the natives such as tuberculosis, measles, leprosy, and elephantiasis; practices of the "kahuna" or native doctor; and important staples of the Tahitian diet such as breadfruit, manioc, cassava, arrowroot, taro, and cocoanuts. The third volume contains extensive description of cocoa palms, the abundant fruits of the island, the native species of trees, and the rural districts of Tahiti |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 42
Page 45
... Papara gets the full benefit of the trade - winds and the land - breeze , and is one of the coolest spots in Tahiti . Tahiti's summer - time is our winter . I was fortunate in visiting the island during the latter part of January . It ...
... Papara gets the full benefit of the trade - winds and the land - breeze , and is one of the coolest spots in Tahiti . Tahiti's summer - time is our winter . I was fortunate in visiting the island during the latter part of January . It ...
Page 46
... Papara district . He is a direct descendant of one of the two noble families of the island , the Tevas , and one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the island . I asked him to what race the Tahitians belonged . To this ...
... Papara district . He is a direct descendant of one of the two noble families of the island , the Tevas , and one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the island . I asked him to what race the Tahitians belonged . To this ...
Page 49
... Papara makes the same claim , for when Vari mataauhoe left Hototu he said to her : " You will bear me a child ; if a girl , she will belong to you and take your name ; but if a boy , you are to call him Teva ; rain and wind will ...
... Papara makes the same claim , for when Vari mataauhoe left Hototu he said to her : " You will bear me a child ; if a girl , she will belong to you and take your name ; but if a boy , you are to call him Teva ; rain and wind will ...
Page 50
... Papara . This legend is to - day as fresh in the district of Papara as it was centuries ago . It is but natural that the Tevas , one of the two most influential and powerful of the tribes of Tahiti , should be anxious to trace their ...
... Papara . This legend is to - day as fresh in the district of Papara as it was centuries ago . It is but natural that the Tevas , one of the two most influential and powerful of the tribes of Tahiti , should be anxious to trace their ...
Page 51
... Papara and of the Tevas , or rather his son Teriirere , born about 1762 , was head chief , and Amo exercised power as his guardian , according to native custom , which made the eldest child immediately on birth , the head of the family ...
... Papara and of the Tevas , or rather his son Teriirere , born about 1762 , was head chief , and Amo exercised power as his guardian , according to native custom , which made the eldest child immediately on birth , the head of the family ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Aimata Ariitaimai atoll islands beautiful blue branches breadfruit canoes Captain Cook charming chief of Papara chiefess Christian climate cloth clouds cocoa-palm cocoanut coral dark disease distance district earth English European eyes Fautahua feathers feet fish flowers forests French fruit governor green head chief hospital hundred inhabitants king King of Tahiti lagoon land leaves LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS living marae Matavai missionaries moon Moorea mountains natives Nature never night ninety-mile drive Opuhara Otoo Pacific Ocean palms pandanus Papara Papeete Pare Paumotu peace plant plantain political Pomare Pomare IV Pomare's priests PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR Punaauia Purea Queen race Raiatea reef remained roots seen ship shore sight Society Islands soil South Sea Islands steamer stem sweet Tahiti Tahitian Tahoua Tati Temarii Tevas tree vegetation villages visitor volcanic voyage Wallis whole island women YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY young
Popular passages
Page 167 - But who can paint Like Nature? Can imagination boast, Amid its gay creation, hues like hers ? Or can it mix them with that matchless skill, And lose them in each other, as appears In every bud that blows...
Page 191 - Twinkling vapors arose ; and sky and water and forest Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together. Hanging between two skies, a cloud with edges of silver, Floated the boat, with its dripping oars, on the motionless water.
Page 168 - And so beside the Silent Sea, I wait the muffled oar; No harm from Him can come to me On ocean or on shore. I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care.
Page 213 - The Sun's rim dips; the stars rush out: At one stride comes the dark; With far-heard whisper, o'er the sea, Off shot the spectre-bark.
Page 190 - I live not in myself, but I become Portion of that around me : and to me, High mountains are a feeling, but the hum Of human cities torture...
Page 174 - Know'st thou the land where the lemon-trees bloom ? Where the gold orange glows in the deep thicket's gloom ? Where a wind ever soft from the blue heaven blows, And the groves are of laurel and myrtle and rose ? Know'st thou it ? Thither ! O thither, My dearest and kindest, with thee would I go.
Page 118 - Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard Celestial voices, to the midnight air, Sole, or responsive...
Page 60 - All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter. We balance inconveniences ; we give and take ; we remit some rights that we may enjoy others; and we choose rather to be happy citizens than subtle disputants.
Page 209 - Yet fount of hope. Posthumous glories! angel-like collection ! Upraised from seed or bulb interred in earth, Ye are to me a type of resurrection, And second birth. Were I, O God, in churchless lands remaining, Far from all voice of teachers or divines. My soul would find in flowers of thy ordaining. Priests, sermons, shrines!
Page 171 - Bear me, Pomona ! to thy citron groves ; To where the lemon and the piercing lime, With the deep orange, glowing through the green, Their lighter glories blend.