Explore "A Ponapean Convenance" by Louis Becke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"Here also, as at Yap, the youngest wives and sisters of the chiefs visited the frigate. Somewhat shocking at first to our feelings as Christians. Yet to have declined what was regarded by these simple and amiable people as the very highest token of their regard for the officers of the expedition, would have been bitterly resented. And, after all, our duties to our King and Queen were paramount... the foundation of friendly relations with the people of this Archipelago! . The engaging manners and modest demeanour of these native ladies were most commendable. That this embarrassing custom was practised to do us especial honour we had ample proof."
Chester, the trader, laid down the book and looked curiously at the title, "A Journal of the Expedition under Don Felipe Tompson, through the Caroline Islands. " It was in Spanish, and had been lent him by one of the Jesuit Fathers in Ponape.