Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . down to the wrists, and witha sad little puckered face, damp withtears. I could not paint it and themother looked very disappointed, butMrs. Hopkins kindly came to the res-cue and took a photograph, which turnedout better in the end, for a few weekslater the little thing died, and she sentthe broken-hearted mother a copy,which was her one consolation. I looked round for another subjectfor my brush, and perceived a bonnylittle boy of four, nearly in a state ofnature. When I indicated my desire,this time a pleased father carried offthe child
Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . down to the wrists, and witha sad little puckered face, damp withtears. I could not paint it and themother looked very disappointed, butMrs. Hopkins kindly came to the res-cue and took a photograph, which turnedout better in the end, for a few weekslater the little thing died, and she sentthe broken-hearted mother a copy,which was her one consolation. I looked round for another subjectfor my brush, and perceived a bonnylittle boy of four, nearly in a state ofnature. When I indicated my desire,this time a pleased father carried offthe child to attend to his toilet, anddisappeared with him into another ofthe haystacks. Greatly alarmed, I followed to try andprevent mischief. Fortunately Meke (war dance) dresswas considered the most suitable for a boy, and I had thepleasure of watching all the preparations. First his littlegarment was removed, and he was oiled all over andpolished from head to toe with the palm of his fathers hand,very vigorously, much as one might polish a metal LITTLE BOY IN MEKEDRESS. Fijian Servants. 31 When he was considered sufficiently shiny, a gay little sulu (loin cloth) was put on. Then various leafy vines were selectedand plaited together, to form a garland for his neck, andwound round his little arms above the elbow, which last deco-ration was finished with a big red hibiscus blossom. Lastly asmall knotted stick was put in his hand to represent a club, andthe little man was ready. His father carried him out andplaced liim in front of the house, where he stood as stiff andstill as a statue till he almost fainted. I had to hurry to finishmy sketch as I could not make him understand that he mighthave a rest. The father watched its progress with infinitedelight, and every inhabitant of the place had to see it whenit was done. It is almost impossible to catch the Fijians of to-day in easynatural positions, they pose at once, as soon as they see sketchbook or camera. I tried to draw a
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidislandsfaraw, bookyear1921
