The huge majority of Samoans, like other God-fearing folk in other countries, are perfectly content with their own manners.

And upon one condition, it is plain they might enjoy themselves far beyond the average of man.

Seated in islands very rich in food, the idleness of the many idle would scarce matter; and the provinces might continue to bestow their names among rival pretenders, and fall into war and enjoy that a while, and drop into peace and enjoy that, in a manner highly to be envied.

But the condition--that they should be let alone--is now no longer possible.

More than a hundred years ago, and following closely on the heels of Cook, an irregular invasion of adventurers began to swarm about the isles of the Pacific.