Girard0451 - Revision history

Merv at 04:33, 24 May 2013

2013-05-24T04:33:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:33, 24 May 2013
Line 42:		Line 42:
	;[13]: Before leaving New Caledonia, I am going to try to give you an idea of the inhabitants and their customs. The natives are black, but not like the negroes of Africa. It is a complexion darker than that of the Bohemians of which we have some remaining in our south, but of the same kind. Their size is mediocre, their limbs well enough formed, their hair sometime woollen, sometimes like ours, but almost always made yellow by the effect of the ashes with which they cover themselves in their infancy. They are naked, almost entirely.		;[13]: Before leaving New Caledonia, I am going to try to give you an idea of the inhabitants and their customs. The natives are black, but not like the negroes of Africa. It is a complexion darker than that of the Bohemians of which we have some remaining in our south, but of the same kind. Their size is mediocre, their limbs well enough formed, their hair sometime woollen, sometimes like ours, but almost always made yellow by the effect of the ashes with which they cover themselves in their infancy. They are naked, almost entirely.
	;[14]: Their houses have been compared justifiably to beehives, like those that one sees like a dome of straw, in certain countries. They lack strength, not even a certain grace, but having only one very narrow opening, which serves as a door, they have not sufficient circulation of air, and the little air for the numbers is stifling. The furniture that one notices consists of a great earthen pot in which they cook their food, and some coconut shells in which they keep water.		;[14]: Their houses have been compared justifiably to beehives, like those that one sees like a dome of straw, in certain countries. They lack strength, not even a certain grace, but having only one very narrow opening, which serves as a door, they have not sufficient circulation of air, and the little air for the numbers is stifling. The furniture that one notices consists of a great earthen pot in which they cook their food, and some coconut shells in which they keep water.
	;[15]: They are poor in provisions of food. The coconut palms there are rarer among them than in the other islands, and they are too lazy to cultivate large plantations. Also they suffer frequently from hunger which compels them to make themselves eat molluscs, the tough and putrid flesh of which brings on disgust or even those deadly poisons of which I have already spoken. It is also certain that they sometimes nourish themselves on human flesh. War is common among them; also they all have strong and elegant weapon which they wield with dexterity. I have seen them have lances, clubs and axes, of strange-looking construction. It is a piece of polished serpentine stone or better still of iron beaten on a stone, fitted with a naturally curved wooden handle, which compares favourably enough with our adzes in France. For their sea voyages, they have canoes, not graceful but strong enough. They are two hollowed out tree trunks placed at a distance from each other and joined by a kind of heavy plank, on which they raise a small mast with a straw mat in place of sail when there is a little wind. The New Caledonians do not appear to indulge in games or holidays; generally they are sad, inactive, indifferent.		;[15]: They are poor in provisions of food. The coconut palms there are rarer among them than in the other islands, and they are too lazy to cultivate large plantations. Also they suffer frequently from hunger which compels them to make themselves eat molluscs, the tough and putrid flesh of which brings on disgust or even those deadly poisons of which I have already spoken. It is also certain that they sometimes nourish themselves on human flesh.
			;[16]:War is common among them; also they all have strong and elegant weapon which they wield with dexterity. I have seen them have lances, clubs and axes, of strange-looking construction. It is a piece of polished serpentine stone or better still of iron beaten on a stone, fitted with a naturally curved wooden handle, which compares favourably enough with our adzes in France.
			;[17]:For their sea voyages, they have canoes, not graceful but strong enough. They are two hollowed out tree trunks placed at a distance from each other and joined by a kind of heavy plank, on which they raise a small mast with a straw mat in place of sail when there is a little wind. The New Caledonians do not appear to indulge in games or holidays; generally they are sad, inactive, indifferent.
	;[18]: As to religion, neither priesthood, nor cult, nor really explicit beliefs have yet been discovered. Some notions on the immortality of the soul which, in another life will have bananas in abundance, faith in the spirits, that is all that one has noticed, but perhaps some new research will be more fruitful. You can well judge that morality has a rather restricted influence on them. However the unfaithful spouse is mercilessly punished. Her husband cracks her skull.		;[18]: As to religion, neither priesthood, nor cult, nor really explicit beliefs have yet been discovered. Some notions on the immortality of the soul which, in another life will have bananas in abundance, faith in the spirits, that is all that one has noticed, but perhaps some new research will be more fruitful. You can well judge that morality has a rather restricted influence on them. However the unfaithful spouse is mercilessly punished. Her husband cracks her skull.
	;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.		;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.

Mark Hangartner: /* Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 */

2010-04-09T01:37:17Z

Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:37, 9 April 2010
Line 46:		Line 46:
	;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.		;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.
	;[20]: Let us leave New Caledonia my dear brother, and let us sail towards the Solomon Islands on which the knowledge of the travellers who have written till this day is limited to saying that they scarcely know anything about it. We left Bishop Douarre on the 24 November, accompanied by natives who said to Father Rougeyron: Those priests are our friends since they your brothers, how comes it now that they wish to leave us? And straight away we have reached the deep water to avoid the banks of coral. We considered ourselves to be safe, when on the following day towards ten o’clock in the evening, the first officer of the boat uttered a cry. The captain ran, he paled with fright, we were within an inch of a reef and the wind was violent. We turned aside; another rock appeared. We took the diagonal, there was still a reef ahead, I was on the bridge, I saw everything, it was frightful. I thought that the moment of appearing before God had come, I made my act of contrition and then I started to recite the Memorare; then I made myself lie down! The danger lasted till three o‘clock in the morning and then we were assured that if we had touched the rock, we would all have been engulfed in an instant Poor human existence! To what does it cling? And man, menaced by perils, will not hold himself ready and will amuse himself with passing trinkets when eternity can rasp him in an instant? I assure you, my dear Henri, that it is not, in my opinion, a slight grace granted to missionaries that the sight of dangers to which they are ceaselessly exposed, for it is impossible that this does not place them in this condition where wisdom assures that one will not sin: Remember your last end and to eternity you will not sin.<ref> Si 7.40 In omnibus operibus tuis memorare novissima tua, et in aeternum non peccabis. (TOB) Si.7.36 Whatever you do, remember your last end and you will never sin.</ref>		;[20]: Let us leave New Caledonia my dear brother, and let us sail towards the Solomon Islands on which the knowledge of the travellers who have written till this day is limited to saying that they scarcely know anything about it. We left Bishop Douarre on the 24 November, accompanied by natives who said to Father Rougeyron: Those priests are our friends since they your brothers, how comes it now that they wish to leave us? And straight away we have reached the deep water to avoid the banks of coral. We considered ourselves to be safe, when on the following day towards ten o’clock in the evening, the first officer of the boat uttered a cry. The captain ran, he paled with fright, we were within an inch of a reef and the wind was violent. We turned aside; another rock appeared. We took the diagonal, there was still a reef ahead, I was on the bridge, I saw everything, it was frightful. I thought that the moment of appearing before God had come, I made my act of contrition and then I started to recite the Memorare; then I made myself lie down! The danger lasted till three o‘clock in the morning and then we were assured that if we had touched the rock, we would all have been engulfed in an instant Poor human existence! To what does it cling? And man, menaced by perils, will not hold himself ready and will amuse himself with passing trinkets when eternity can rasp him in an instant? I assure you, my dear Henri, that it is not, in my opinion, a slight grace granted to missionaries that the sight of dangers to which they are ceaselessly exposed, for it is impossible that this does not place them in this condition where wisdom assures that one will not sin: Remember your last end and to eternity you will not sin.<ref> Si 7.40 In omnibus operibus tuis memorare novissima tua, et in aeternum non peccabis. (TOB) Si.7.36 Whatever you do, remember your last end and you will never sin.</ref>
	;[21]: We arrived on the 1st December within the limits of our mission. Bishop Epalle also took possession in the name of the very Blessed Virgin, throwing some medals of the Immaculate Conception and reciting some prayers. We had wished to give to this act some solemnity, but the presence of an all Protestant crew prevented us from holding a ceremony that they would not have understood and about which perhaps they would have blasphemed. All was done without fuss and without noise. On the second day we dropped anchor on the south east coast of San Cristoval, and on the third the Bishop landed in order to see if there was a possibility of making a settlement there, at least a little later, for at present he wanted only to situate himself at a central point, from which he was able to spread out and there be at one of the extremities of his vicariate. What surprised us, my dear Henri, when looked at close range at these natives of the Solomon islands, that they had been depicted to us as ferocious beasts incapable of being (tamed) and that the captain of our schooner feared so much that he had prepared snare traps, a vast network of cords which rises above he bridge of the boat several feet in height, and which forms a kind of wall, and which for several days the crew were busy casting balls, and preparing cartridges, and sharpening sabres. The natives appeared to us altogether good. They come in a crowd selling yams, taro, cocoa, and they always seem satisfied with the iron, glass jewellery, and bottles that we give them in exchange. They even gave us proofs of justice and generosity, ~~of the kind~~ that we ~~wished,~~ almost ~~for~~ those who seemed to ~~us to be intent on calumniating~~ them. Nevertheless, various reasons compelled us to leave them, but we only took away from them a heart wounded by grief and only consoled by the hope of returning one day. We did not know then the designs of God for these people! We made for Isabel, running alongside the south-east coast of Guadalcanal. On the 12th we arrived and at once were surrounded by canoes, the paddlers of which seemed to us more lively and more boisterous than at San Cristoval. Nevertheless their gestures of friendship and the proposals that they do business with us, compelled us to think well of them. We anchored towards midday; at four o’clock the Bishop was engaged in visiting them. The natives who came on board, according to the custom of these people, told us all that they all were good and of the number of our friends, but showing us a point about two leagues distant, they added that there lived bad men who would kill us if we went to them. This is how at least we understood it. We announced this to the Bishop who thought that the word matemate, was used by one who wished perhaps to speak of an illness caused by the fever, and indicated only an unhealthy area, or better that the natives were only speaking in this way through enmity. The visits continued. In the evening of the 14th, we made other observations to the Bishop. We had seen bracelets, necklaces, belts of human teeth, and enough was said that we could no longer doubt that the natives were cannibals. But moreover, as no one showed any repugnance to stay there, we resolved to see anyhow if we did not find a place to establish ourselves.		;[21]: We arrived on the 1st December within the limits of our mission. Bishop Epalle also took possession in the name of the very Blessed Virgin, throwing some medals of the Immaculate Conception and reciting some prayers. We had wished to give to this act some solemnity, but the presence of an all Protestant crew prevented us from holding a ceremony that they would not have understood and about which perhaps they would have blasphemed. All was done without fuss and without noise. On the second day we dropped anchor on the south east coast of San Cristoval, and on the third the Bishop landed in order to see if there was a possibility of making a settlement there, at least a little later, for at present he wanted only to situate himself at a central point, from which he was able to spread out and there be at one of the extremities of his vicariate. What surprised us, my dear Henri, when looked at close range at these natives of the Solomon islands, that they had been depicted to us as ferocious beasts incapable of being (tamed) and that the captain of our schooner feared so much that he had prepared snare traps, a vast network of cords which rises above he bridge of the boat several feet in height, and which forms a kind of wall, and which for several days the crew were busy casting balls, and preparing cartridges, and sharpening sabres. The natives appeared to us altogether good. They come in a crowd selling yams, taro, cocoa, and they always seem satisfied with the iron, glass jewellery, and bottles that we give them in exchange. They even gave us proofs of justice and generosity, so much so that we almost took their part against those who seemed determined to slander them. Nevertheless, various reasons compelled us to leave them, but we only took away from them a heart wounded by grief and only consoled by the hope of returning one day. We did not know then the designs of God for these people! We made for Isabel, running alongside the south-east coast of Guadalcanal. On the 12th we arrived and at once were surrounded by canoes, the paddlers of which seemed to us more lively and more boisterous than at San Cristoval. Nevertheless their gestures of friendship and the proposals that they do business with us, compelled us to think well of them. We anchored towards midday; at four o’clock the Bishop was engaged in visiting them. The natives who came on board, according to the custom of these people, told us all that they all were good and of the number of our friends, but showing us a point about two leagues distant, they added that there lived bad men who would kill us if we went to them. This is how at least we understood it. We announced this to the Bishop who thought that the word matemate, was used by one who wished perhaps to speak of an illness caused by the fever, and indicated only an unhealthy area, or better that the natives were only speaking in this way through enmity. The visits continued. In the evening of the 14th, we made other observations to the Bishop. We had seen bracelets, necklaces, belts of human teeth, and enough was said that we could no longer doubt that the natives were cannibals. But moreover, as no one showed any repugnance to stay there, we resolved to see anyhow if we did not find a place to establish ourselves.
	;[23]: On the 15th the Bishop returned late, wet to the bone, and overcome by fatigue. On the 16th, having risen later than usual, he made his meditation which he preferred to do before his office, and set out. He spoke to us these two remarkable words : If I listened only to nature, I would dispense myself from the task today … and … I will return in good time He was mistaken. At 11 o’clock he was brought back to us bathed in his blood, struck by five blows of the hatchet in the head, and by two spear blows, and lethal from all sides. Four days later, we buried his mortal remains in an isolated corner of an inhabited island close to Isobel island, and we were still terrified that we might lose our reverend Father provincial, also struck in this attack with two blows of a club.<ref> It is Jean-Pierre Fremont who received two blows with a club in the attack (cf. doc.448,12, where he is called ‘provincial’; and doc 5, where he is called ‘provicar’). Not to be confused with Philippe Calinon, provincial of the Marist in central Oceania (cf. doc. 344, 1, n.1;372,2, n. 2; 436, 12 ).</ref> The tribe that had been indicated to us as bad was the author of everything: after having surrounded the members of the expedition, they had suddenly attacked them and it was only with great trouble that reverend Father Chaurain had been able to save the body of his bishop. The second officer of the ship had also been wounded. You can, my dear Henri, understand what a blow for us was the death of the Bishop. We were young recruits going into battle for the first time, and our captain fell on the field of battle. If God had not sustained us, we would have lost all courage. But Mary came to our aid and I am astonished now at the calm, despite our sadness, which reigns in our decisions. Then I clearly understood the power of graces of state.		;[23]: On the 15th the Bishop returned late, wet to the bone, and overcome by fatigue. On the 16th, having risen later than usual, he made his meditation which he preferred to do before his office, and set out. He spoke to us these two remarkable words : If I listened only to nature, I would dispense myself from the task today … and … I will return in good time He was mistaken. At 11 o’clock he was brought back to us bathed in his blood, struck by five blows of the hatchet in the head, and by two spear blows, and lethal from all sides. Four days later, we buried his mortal remains in an isolated corner of an inhabited island close to Isobel island, and we were still terrified that we might lose our reverend Father provincial, also struck in this attack with two blows of a club.<ref> It is Jean-Pierre Fremont who received two blows with a club in the attack (cf. doc.448,12, where he is called ‘provincial’; and doc 5, where he is called ‘provicar’). Not to be confused with Philippe Calinon, provincial of the Marist in central Oceania (cf. doc. 344, 1, n.1;372,2, n. 2; 436, 12 ).</ref> The tribe that had been indicated to us as bad was the author of everything: after having surrounded the members of the expedition, they had suddenly attacked them and it was only with great trouble that reverend Father Chaurain had been able to save the body of his bishop. The second officer of the ship had also been wounded. You can, my dear Henri, understand what a blow for us was the death of the Bishop. We were young recruits going into battle for the first time, and our captain fell on the field of battle. If God had not sustained us, we would have lost all courage. But Mary came to our aid and I am astonished now at the calm, despite our sadness, which reigns in our decisions. Then I clearly understood the power of graces of state.
	;[24]: We continued the visits as if nothing had happened. But all well considered, we thought that there were too many dangers to run, to take on ourselves the setting up of a mission.<ref>[ Note of the author crossways in the margin] These dangers will disappear shortly, through communications established between the natives of the different islands, they will know who we are and we will be able to speak the language a little.</ref> We reminded ourselves also that our divine Saviour had told the apostles to fly when they would be persecuted, and we took the route to San Christoval, this time travelling along the north-west coast of Guadalcanal.		;[24]: We continued the visits as if nothing had happened. But all well considered, we thought that there were too many dangers to run, to take on ourselves the setting up of a mission.<ref>[ Note of the author crossways in the margin] These dangers will disappear shortly, through communications established between the natives of the different islands, they will know who we are and we will be able to speak the language a little.</ref> We reminded ourselves also that our divine Saviour had told the apostles to fly when they would be persecuted, and we took the route to San Christoval, this time travelling along the north-west coast of Guadalcanal.

Mark Hangartner: /* Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 */

2010-04-09T01:31:55Z

Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 9 April 2010
Line 45:		Line 45:
	;[18]: As to religion, neither priesthood, nor cult, nor really explicit beliefs have yet been discovered. Some notions on the immortality of the soul which, in another life will have bananas in abundance, faith in the spirits, that is all that one has noticed, but perhaps some new research will be more fruitful. You can well judge that morality has a rather restricted influence on them. However the unfaithful spouse is mercilessly punished. Her husband cracks her skull.		;[18]: As to religion, neither priesthood, nor cult, nor really explicit beliefs have yet been discovered. Some notions on the immortality of the soul which, in another life will have bananas in abundance, faith in the spirits, that is all that one has noticed, but perhaps some new research will be more fruitful. You can well judge that morality has a rather restricted influence on them. However the unfaithful spouse is mercilessly punished. Her husband cracks her skull.
	;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.		;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.
	;[20]: Let us leave New Caledonia my dear brother, and let us sail towards the Solomon Islands on which the knowledge of the travellers who have written till this day is limited to saying that they scarcely know anything about it. We left Bishop Douarre on the 24 November, accompanied by natives who said to Father Rougeyron: Those priests are our friends since they your brothers, how comes it now that they wish to leave us? And straight away we have reached the deep water to avoid the banks of coral. We considered ourselves to be safe, when on the following day towards ten o’clock in the evening, the first officer of the boat uttered a cry. The captain ran, he paled with fright, we were within an inch of a reef and the wind was violent. We turned aside; another rock appeared. We took the diagonal, there was still a reef ahead, I was on the bridge, I saw everything, it was frightful. I thought that the moment of appearing before God had come, I made my act of contrition and then I started to recite the Memorare; then I made myself lie down! The danger lasted till three o‘clock in the morning and then we were assured that if we had touched the rock, we would all have been engulfed in an instant Poor human existence! To what does it cling? And man, menaced by perils, will not hold himself ready and will amuse himself with passing trinkets when eternity can rasp him in an instant? I assure you, my dear Henri, that it is not, in my opinion, a slight grace granted to missionaries that the sight of dangers to which they are ceaselessly exposed, for it is impossible that this does not place them in this condition where wisdom assures that one will not sin: Remember ~~you~~ last end and to eternity you will not sin.<ref> Si 7.40 In omnibus operibus tuis memorare novissima tua, et in aeternum non peccabis. (TOB) Si.7.36 Whatever you do, remember your last end and you will never sin.</ref>		;[20]: Let us leave New Caledonia my dear brother, and let us sail towards the Solomon Islands on which the knowledge of the travellers who have written till this day is limited to saying that they scarcely know anything about it. We left Bishop Douarre on the 24 November, accompanied by natives who said to Father Rougeyron: Those priests are our friends since they your brothers, how comes it now that they wish to leave us? And straight away we have reached the deep water to avoid the banks of coral. We considered ourselves to be safe, when on the following day towards ten o’clock in the evening, the first officer of the boat uttered a cry. The captain ran, he paled with fright, we were within an inch of a reef and the wind was violent. We turned aside; another rock appeared. We took the diagonal, there was still a reef ahead, I was on the bridge, I saw everything, it was frightful. I thought that the moment of appearing before God had come, I made my act of contrition and then I started to recite the Memorare; then I made myself lie down! The danger lasted till three o‘clock in the morning and then we were assured that if we had touched the rock, we would all have been engulfed in an instant Poor human existence! To what does it cling? And man, menaced by perils, will not hold himself ready and will amuse himself with passing trinkets when eternity can rasp him in an instant? I assure you, my dear Henri, that it is not, in my opinion, a slight grace granted to missionaries that the sight of dangers to which they are ceaselessly exposed, for it is impossible that this does not place them in this condition where wisdom assures that one will not sin: Remember your last end and to eternity you will not sin.<ref> Si 7.40 In omnibus operibus tuis memorare novissima tua, et in aeternum non peccabis. (TOB) Si.7.36 Whatever you do, remember your last end and you will never sin.</ref>
	;[21]: We arrived on the 1st December within the limits of our mission. Bishop Epalle also took possession in the name of the very Blessed Virgin, throwing some medals of the Immaculate Conception and reciting some prayers. We had wished to give to this act some solemnity, but the presence of an all Protestant crew prevented us from holding a ceremony that they would not have understood and about which perhaps they would have blasphemed. All was done without fuss and without noise. On the second day we dropped anchor on the south east coast of San Cristoval, and on the third the Bishop landed in order to see if there was a possibility of making a settlement there, at least a little later, for at present he wanted only to situate himself at a central point, from which he was able to spread out and there be at one of the extremities of his vicariate. What surprised us, my dear Henri, when looked at close range at these natives of the Solomon islands, that they had been depicted to us as ferocious beasts incapable of being (tamed) and that the captain of our schooner feared so much that he had prepared snare traps, a vast network of cords which rises above he bridge of the boat several feet in height, and which forms a kind of wall, and which for several days the crew were busy casting balls, and preparing cartridges, and sharpening sabres. The natives appeared to us altogether good. They come in a crowd selling yams, taro, cocoa, and they always seem satisfied with the iron, glass jewellery, and bottles that we give them in exchange. They even gave us proofs of justice and generosity, of the kind that we wished, almost for those who seemed to us to be intent on calumniating them. Nevertheless, various reasons compelled us to leave them, but we only took away from them a heart wounded by grief and only consoled by the hope of returning one day. We did not know then the designs of God for these people! We made for Isabel, running alongside the south-east coast of Guadalcanal. On the 12th we arrived and at once were surrounded by canoes, the paddlers of which seemed to us more lively and more boisterous than at San Cristoval. Nevertheless their gestures of friendship and the proposals that they do business with us, compelled us to think well of them. We anchored towards midday; at four o’clock the Bishop was engaged in visiting them. The natives who came on board, according to the custom of these people, told us all that they all were good and of the number of our friends, but showing us a point about two leagues distant, they added that there lived bad men who would kill us if we went to them. This is how at least we understood it. We announced this to the Bishop who thought that the word matemate, was used by one who wished perhaps to speak of an illness caused by the fever, and indicated only an unhealthy area, or better that the natives were only speaking in this way through enmity. The visits continued. In the evening of the 14th, we made other observations to the Bishop. We had seen bracelets, necklaces, belts of human teeth, and enough was said that we could no longer doubt that the natives were cannibals. But moreover, as no one showed any repugnance to stay there, we resolved to see anyhow if we did not find a place to establish ourselves.		;[21]: We arrived on the 1st December within the limits of our mission. Bishop Epalle also took possession in the name of the very Blessed Virgin, throwing some medals of the Immaculate Conception and reciting some prayers. We had wished to give to this act some solemnity, but the presence of an all Protestant crew prevented us from holding a ceremony that they would not have understood and about which perhaps they would have blasphemed. All was done without fuss and without noise. On the second day we dropped anchor on the south east coast of San Cristoval, and on the third the Bishop landed in order to see if there was a possibility of making a settlement there, at least a little later, for at present he wanted only to situate himself at a central point, from which he was able to spread out and there be at one of the extremities of his vicariate. What surprised us, my dear Henri, when looked at close range at these natives of the Solomon islands, that they had been depicted to us as ferocious beasts incapable of being (tamed) and that the captain of our schooner feared so much that he had prepared snare traps, a vast network of cords which rises above he bridge of the boat several feet in height, and which forms a kind of wall, and which for several days the crew were busy casting balls, and preparing cartridges, and sharpening sabres. The natives appeared to us altogether good. They come in a crowd selling yams, taro, cocoa, and they always seem satisfied with the iron, glass jewellery, and bottles that we give them in exchange. They even gave us proofs of justice and generosity, of the kind that we wished, almost for those who seemed to us to be intent on calumniating them. Nevertheless, various reasons compelled us to leave them, but we only took away from them a heart wounded by grief and only consoled by the hope of returning one day. We did not know then the designs of God for these people! We made for Isabel, running alongside the south-east coast of Guadalcanal. On the 12th we arrived and at once were surrounded by canoes, the paddlers of which seemed to us more lively and more boisterous than at San Cristoval. Nevertheless their gestures of friendship and the proposals that they do business with us, compelled us to think well of them. We anchored towards midday; at four o’clock the Bishop was engaged in visiting them. The natives who came on board, according to the custom of these people, told us all that they all were good and of the number of our friends, but showing us a point about two leagues distant, they added that there lived bad men who would kill us if we went to them. This is how at least we understood it. We announced this to the Bishop who thought that the word matemate, was used by one who wished perhaps to speak of an illness caused by the fever, and indicated only an unhealthy area, or better that the natives were only speaking in this way through enmity. The visits continued. In the evening of the 14th, we made other observations to the Bishop. We had seen bracelets, necklaces, belts of human teeth, and enough was said that we could no longer doubt that the natives were cannibals. But moreover, as no one showed any repugnance to stay there, we resolved to see anyhow if we did not find a place to establish ourselves.
	;[23]: On the 15th the Bishop returned late, wet to the bone, and overcome by fatigue. On the 16th, having risen later than usual, he made his meditation which he preferred to do before his office, and set out. He spoke to us these two remarkable words : If I listened only to nature, I would dispense myself from the task today … and … I will return in good time He was mistaken. At 11 o’clock he was brought back to us bathed in his blood, struck by five blows of the hatchet in the head, and by two spear blows, and lethal from all sides. Four days later, we buried his mortal remains in an isolated corner of an inhabited island close to Isobel island, and we were still terrified that we might lose our reverend Father provincial, also struck in this attack with two blows of a club.<ref> It is Jean-Pierre Fremont who received two blows with a club in the attack (cf. doc.448,12, where he is called ‘provincial’; and doc 5, where he is called ‘provicar’). Not to be confused with Philippe Calinon, provincial of the Marist in central Oceania (cf. doc. 344, 1, n.1;372,2, n. 2; 436, 12 ).</ref> The tribe that had been indicated to us as bad was the author of everything: after having surrounded the members of the expedition, they had suddenly attacked them and it was only with great trouble that reverend Father Chaurain had been able to save the body of his bishop. The second officer of the ship had also been wounded. You can, my dear Henri, understand what a blow for us was the death of the Bishop. We were young recruits going into battle for the first time, and our captain fell on the field of battle. If God had not sustained us, we would have lost all courage. But Mary came to our aid and I am astonished now at the calm, despite our sadness, which reigns in our decisions. Then I clearly understood the power of graces of state.		;[23]: On the 15th the Bishop returned late, wet to the bone, and overcome by fatigue. On the 16th, having risen later than usual, he made his meditation which he preferred to do before his office, and set out. He spoke to us these two remarkable words : If I listened only to nature, I would dispense myself from the task today … and … I will return in good time He was mistaken. At 11 o’clock he was brought back to us bathed in his blood, struck by five blows of the hatchet in the head, and by two spear blows, and lethal from all sides. Four days later, we buried his mortal remains in an isolated corner of an inhabited island close to Isobel island, and we were still terrified that we might lose our reverend Father provincial, also struck in this attack with two blows of a club.<ref> It is Jean-Pierre Fremont who received two blows with a club in the attack (cf. doc.448,12, where he is called ‘provincial’; and doc 5, where he is called ‘provicar’). Not to be confused with Philippe Calinon, provincial of the Marist in central Oceania (cf. doc. 344, 1, n.1;372,2, n. 2; 436, 12 ).</ref> The tribe that had been indicated to us as bad was the author of everything: after having surrounded the members of the expedition, they had suddenly attacked them and it was only with great trouble that reverend Father Chaurain had been able to save the body of his bishop. The second officer of the ship had also been wounded. You can, my dear Henri, understand what a blow for us was the death of the Bishop. We were young recruits going into battle for the first time, and our captain fell on the field of battle. If God had not sustained us, we would have lost all courage. But Mary came to our aid and I am astonished now at the calm, despite our sadness, which reigns in our decisions. Then I clearly understood the power of graces of state.

Mark Hangartner: /* Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 */

2010-04-09T01:25:05Z

Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:25, 9 April 2010
Line 28:		Line 28:

	:Dear Henri,		:Dear Henri,
	;[1]: You must complain of my silence, or at least of the brevity of my letters. Very well, this time I am going to compensate and you will be that member of the family to whom I give most details: only I beg you not to demand from me a great succession of ideas, nor a minute care in the choice of expressions, because I write to you in haste and at intervals, as do all the missionaries, as you yourself will do if the good God sends you to evangelize pagan ~~people~~		;[1]: You must complain of my silence, or at least of the brevity of my letters. Very well, this time I am going to compensate and you will be that member of the family to whom I give most details: only I beg you not to demand from me a great succession of ideas, nor a minute care in the choice of expressions, because I write to you in haste and at intervals, as do all the missionaries, as you yourself will do if the good God sends you to evangelize pagan peoples.
	;[2]: We left Sydney on the 23 October <ref> Of the year 1845 (cf. [[Girard0439\|doc. 439]])</ref> on the Marian Watson, a fine craft expressly built to take passengers, with a light breeze which soon sped us to the open sea. That morning in the Cathedral, the blessing of the Most Holy Sacrament had been given to draw down on our heads graces from on high, and at the time of departure, Bishop Polding, Bishop Pompallier, Doctor Gregory, vicar general, a number of priests and simple laity affectionately shook our hands and asked Heaven to protect us. Above on the mast was fastened a standard on which shone a cross, of the kind that in this case had a hint of religion, of Catholicism.		;[2]: We left Sydney on the 23 October <ref> Of the year 1845 (cf. [[Girard0439\|doc. 439]])</ref> on the Marian Watson, a fine craft expressly built to take passengers, with a light breeze which soon sped us to the open sea. That morning in the Cathedral, the blessing of the Most Holy Sacrament had been given to draw down on our heads graces from on high, and at the time of departure, Bishop Polding, Bishop Pompallier, Doctor Gregory, vicar general, a number of priests and simple laity affectionately shook our hands and asked Heaven to protect us. Above on the mast was fastened a standard on which shone a cross, of the kind that in this case had a hint of religion, of Catholicism.
	;[3]: Seasickness did not delay to make itself felt. Bishop Epalle especially suffered very much. Now, at the end of a week all are up on their feet. We were heading for New Caledonia which we had to visit to help the missionaries. The wind has been propitious from the start, but then it has been so directly contrary, that it was necessary to tack for two weeks, which, given the difficulty of finding the entrance of port Balade, lost in the midst of banks of coral, only permitted us to anchor on the 17 November.		;[3]: Seasickness did not delay to make itself felt. Bishop Epalle especially suffered very much. Now, at the end of a week all are up on their feet. We were heading for New Caledonia which we had to visit to help the missionaries. The wind has been propitious from the start, but then it has been so directly contrary, that it was necessary to tack for two weeks, which, given the difficulty of finding the entrance of port Balade, lost in the midst of banks of coral, only permitted us to anchor on the 17 November.

Merv: /* Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 */

2010-01-03T23:10:49Z

Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:10, 4 January 2010
Line 1:		Line 1:
	== Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 ==		== Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 ==

	''Translated by Fr Jack Ward SM''		''Translated by Fr Jack Ward SM, December 2009''

Merv at 23:21, 2 January 2010

2010-01-02T23:21:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 3 January 2010
Line 1:		Line 1:
	== Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 ==		== Xavier Montrouzier to his brother Henri Montrouzier, SJ., Jan 1846 ==

			''Translated by Fr Jack Ward SM''


	''From the source [[APM]] ONC 208 Montrouzier''		''From the source [[APM]] ONC 208 Montrouzier''
Line 8:		Line 11:

	;[p. 1 at the top of the page ] :		;[p. 1 at the top of the page ] :

	;[ in a later hand ]: Jan 1846		;[ in a later hand ]: Jan 1846

Line 16:		Line 20:

	:J(esus) M(ary) J(oseph)		:J(esus) M(ary) J(oseph)

	:All through Mary!		:All through Mary!


	:::To the reverend father Montrouzier of the Society of Jesus.		:::To the reverend father Montrouzier of the Society of Jesus.

Line 36:		Line 42:
	;[13]: Before leaving New Caledonia, I am going to try to give you an idea of the inhabitants and their customs. The natives are black, but not like the negroes of Africa. It is a complexion darker than that of the Bohemians of which we have some remaining in our south, but of the same kind. Their size is mediocre, their limbs well enough formed, their hair sometime woollen, sometimes like ours, but almost always made yellow by the effect of the ashes with which they cover themselves in their infancy. They are naked, almost entirely.		;[13]: Before leaving New Caledonia, I am going to try to give you an idea of the inhabitants and their customs. The natives are black, but not like the negroes of Africa. It is a complexion darker than that of the Bohemians of which we have some remaining in our south, but of the same kind. Their size is mediocre, their limbs well enough formed, their hair sometime woollen, sometimes like ours, but almost always made yellow by the effect of the ashes with which they cover themselves in their infancy. They are naked, almost entirely.
	;[14]: Their houses have been compared justifiably to beehives, like those that one sees like a dome of straw, in certain countries. They lack strength, not even a certain grace, but having only one very narrow opening, which serves as a door, they have not sufficient circulation of air, and the little air for the numbers is stifling. The furniture that one notices consists of a great earthen pot in which they cook their food, and some coconut shells in which they keep water.		;[14]: Their houses have been compared justifiably to beehives, like those that one sees like a dome of straw, in certain countries. They lack strength, not even a certain grace, but having only one very narrow opening, which serves as a door, they have not sufficient circulation of air, and the little air for the numbers is stifling. The furniture that one notices consists of a great earthen pot in which they cook their food, and some coconut shells in which they keep water.
	;[15]: They are poor in provisions of food. The coconut palms there are rarer among them than in the other islands, and they are too lazy to cultivate large plantations. Also they suffer frequently from hunger which compels them to make themselves eat molluscs, the tough and putrid flesh of which brings on disgust or even those deadly poisons of which I have already spoken. It is also certain that they sometimes nourish themselves on human flesh. War is common among them; also they all have strong and elegant weapon which they wield with dexterity. I have seen them have lances, clubs and axes, of strange-looking construction. It is a piece of polished serpentine stone or better still of iron beaten on a stone, fitted with a naturally curved wooden handle, which compares favourably enough with our adzes in France. For their sea voyages, they have canoes, not graceful but strong enough. They are two hollowed out tree trunks placed at a distance from each other and joined by a kind of heavy plank, on which ~~hey~~ raise a small mast with a straw mat in place of sail when there is a little wind. The New Caledonians do not appear to indulge in games or holidays; generally they are sad, inactive, indifferent.		;[15]: They are poor in provisions of food. The coconut palms there are rarer among them than in the other islands, and they are too lazy to cultivate large plantations. Also they suffer frequently from hunger which compels them to make themselves eat molluscs, the tough and putrid flesh of which brings on disgust or even those deadly poisons of which I have already spoken. It is also certain that they sometimes nourish themselves on human flesh. War is common among them; also they all have strong and elegant weapon which they wield with dexterity. I have seen them have lances, clubs and axes, of strange-looking construction. It is a piece of polished serpentine stone or better still of iron beaten on a stone, fitted with a naturally curved wooden handle, which compares favourably enough with our adzes in France. For their sea voyages, they have canoes, not graceful but strong enough. They are two hollowed out tree trunks placed at a distance from each other and joined by a kind of heavy plank, on which they raise a small mast with a straw mat in place of sail when there is a little wind. The New Caledonians do not appear to indulge in games or holidays; generally they are sad, inactive, indifferent.
	;[18]: As to religion, neither priesthood, nor cult, nor really explicit beliefs have yet been discovered. Some notions on the immortality of the soul which, in another life will have bananas in abundance, faith in the spirits, that is all that one has noticed, but perhaps some new research will be more fruitful. You can well judge that morality has a rather restricted influence on them. However the unfaithful spouse is mercilessly punished. Her husband cracks her skull.		;[18]: As to religion, neither priesthood, nor cult, nor really explicit beliefs have yet been discovered. Some notions on the immortality of the soul which, in another life will have bananas in abundance, faith in the spirits, that is all that one has noticed, but perhaps some new research will be more fruitful. You can well judge that morality has a rather restricted influence on them. However the unfaithful spouse is mercilessly punished. Her husband cracks her skull.
	;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.		;[19]: The language of the natives is difficult, because they scarcely articulate; already now our missionaries speak it well enough to make themselves understood and they have only been there two years.

Merv at 23:01, 2 January 2010

2010-01-02T23:01:27Z

Show changes

Merv: Initial text

2010-01-02T22:49:54Z

Initial text

Show changes

Merv: Girard0451 moved to Girard0450: Charley's renumbering

2007-09-01T01:01:38Z

Girard0451 moved to Girard0450: Charley's renumbering

New page

#REDIRECT [[Girard0450]]