They grieve for the death of a relation, and place the body on a stage erected on piles and covered with a roof of thatch, for they never bury the dead, and never approach one of these _morais_ without great solemnity; but theirs is no lasting grief.
An old woman having died, Mr.Banks, whose pursuit was knowledge of every kind, and to gain it made himself one of the people, requested he might attend the ceremony and witness all the mysteries of the solemnity of depositing the body in the morai.

The request was complied with, but on no other condition than his taking a part in it.

This was just what he wished.

In the evening he repaired to the house of mourning, where he was received by the daughter of the deceased and several others, among whom was a boy about fourteen years old.

One of the chiefs of the district was the principal mourner, wearing a fantastical dress.