1777 THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 313 



which all the performers joined at the same time. 

 Their song was not destitute of pleasing melody ; 

 and all their corresponding motions were executed 

 with so much skill, that the numerous body of 

 dancers seemed to act, as if they were one great 

 machine. It was the opinion of every one of us, 

 that such a performance would have met with uni- 

 versal applause on a European theatre ; and it so 

 far exceeded any attempt we had made to entertain 

 them, that they seemed to picque themselves upon 

 the superiority they had over us. As to our musical 

 instruments, they held none of them in the least 

 esteem, except the drum ; and even that they did 

 not think equal to their own. Our French horns 

 in particular, seemed to be held in great contempt ; 

 for neither here, nor at any other of the islands, 

 would they pay the smallest attention to them. 



In order to give them a more favourable opinion 

 of English amusements, and to leave their minds 

 fully impressed with the deepest sense of our superior 

 attainments, I directed some fireworks to be got 

 ready; and, after it was dark, played them off in the 

 presence of Feenou, the other chiefs, and a vast con- 

 course of their people. Some of the preparations we 

 found damaged; but others of them were in excellent 

 order, and succeeded so perfectly, as to answer the 

 end I had in view. Our water and sky-rockets, in 

 particular, pleased and astonished them beyond all 

 conception; and the scale was now turned in our 

 favour. 



This, however, seemed only to furnish them with 

 an additional motive to proceed to fresh exertions of 

 their very singular dexterity ; and our fireworks were 

 no sooner ended, than a succession of dances, which 

 Feenou had got ready for our entertainment, began. 

 As * a prelude to them, a band of music, or chorus 



* Mr. Anderson's account of the night dances being much fuller 

 than Captain Cook's, the reader will not be displeased that it has 

 been adopted. 



