Tahiti: The Island ParadiseAuthor'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 |
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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 elephantiasis English European FAUTAHUA feathers feet fish flowers forests French fruit governor green head chief hospital hundred inhabitants king King of Tahiti lagoon land leaves live marae Matavai missionaries moon Moorea mountains natives Nature never night ninety-mile drive numerous Opuhara Otoo Pacific Ocean palms pandanus Papara Papeete Pare Paumotu peace plant plantain Point Venus political Pomare Pomare IV Pomare's priests protection Punaauia Purea Queen race Raiatea reef remained roots ship shore sight Society Islands soil South Sea Islands steamer stem Tahiti Tahitian Tahoua Tati Temarii Tevas transit of Venus tree tropics vegetation villages visitor volcanic voyage Wallis whole island women young
Popular passages
Page 169 - 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 195 - 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 170 - 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 217 - 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 193 - 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 178 - 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 120 - Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard Celestial voices, to the midnight air, Sole, or responsive...
Page 211 - 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 173 - 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.
Page 96 - I never saw them in any misfortune labour under the appearance of anxiety after the critical moment was past. Neither does care ever seem to wrinkle their brow. On the contrary, even the approach of death does not appear to alter their usual vivacity.