Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . an, and Iwith my paints. He could not grasp theidea of a picture, so he diligently fannedme the whole time; and when I hadfmished his likeness and showed liim theresult, there was no change in his ex-pression. I hardly think he understoodit, or took in what I had been doing. On a Saturday there was a very elabor-ate picnic, for which a most elegant palmbooth had been erected at Na Quinqi,a point on the coast which we reached bya long truck drive. The repast was bothsumptuous and refined. The greatest dehcacy, however, wassalad made of the
Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . an, and Iwith my paints. He could not grasp theidea of a picture, so he diligently fannedme the whole time; and when I hadfmished his likeness and showed liim theresult, there was no change in his ex-pression. I hardly think he understoodit, or took in what I had been doing. On a Saturday there was a very elabor-ate picnic, for which a most elegant palmbooth had been erected at Na Quinqi,a point on the coast which we reached bya long truck drive. The repast was bothsumptuous and refined. The greatest dehcacy, however, wassalad made of the heart of a young coconut palm. It is deli-cious, but it cannot be often indulged in, as it sacrifices a wholetree : and I felt like a Roman Emperor enjoying a savoury ofpeacocks tongues. The ladies dresses struck me againhere. They were gracefully and prettily made by their ownhands, quite fashionable and up to date, but easy and simple,without hampering exaggeration, and as they were • ofwasliing material, oily streaks and marks from our primitive. FOUR YEARS OLDINDIAN SERVANT. 202 Islands Far Away. travelling equipage were only sources of amusement. At afancy dress ball given by my host and hostess the last nightwe were at Lambasa, the dresses were reall}^ wonderful. Theydisplayed an originality and completeness of design one doesnot often meet with wlien professional dressmakers are con-cerned. No small ingenuity was required, mth such slightand indifferent materials as could be procured in the neigh-bourhood, to produce so good an effect. The difficulties induceda peasant fellowship, the ladies helping the gentlemen bydesigning and sewing for them, the men, on the other hand,making for the ladies such things as harps, stars, shields, andbows and arrows. And in all, there was the joy of attain-ment which no shop can sell and no money can buy. I oftenthink that the restless feverish state of society at home, andespecially of our women, is caused a good deal by the loss ofth
Size: 1086px × 2301px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidislandsfaraw, bookyear1921
