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MUSIC OF SAVAGE NATIONS. 247
fearfully, as he danced on hot ashes, neai to a mass of burning wood; others jumped in and danced away frantically. At last the priest himself joined them, and the shouts and gesticulations became furious. This representation had probably some signification of religious expiation, at least it would have been deemed as such in ancient mysteries."
After this followed conjuring tricks of a wonderful, though sanguinary description, " and then the infernal gammelong began again." Then came excellent fireworks. "At last the gammelong ceased its stunning noise."
During Captain Cook's voyage round the world, Banks and Solander, two of his best associates witnessed (a. d. 1769) a pantomime in one of the Society islands. It was of a comic nature, and contained music and dancing. The subject was the adventures of a thief, including his capture.* In Cook's second voyage, Forster observed a comic opera in the Society islands, which appear closely allied to the above. Actors and actresses appeared in this play, the first act of which concluded with a burlesque beating of three of the participants. The commencement of the second act was announced by the musicians beating their drums.f
In the Tonga islands, the actors of these musical dramas recite sentences which are answered by a chorus of singers. There is a great variety in
their movements and groupings. Occasionally
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•Eogel's Musical Myths, e c, t. 2, p. 160.
t A voyage round the World (Cook's) Foreter, p. 898, r. 1. |
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