1777 THE pacific OCEAN. 459 



There is a decorum observed in the presence of 

 their principal men, and particularly of their king, 

 that is truly admirable. Whenever he sits down, 

 whether it be in a house or without, all the attend- 

 ants seat themselves at the same time, in a semi- 

 circle before him ; leaving always a convenient space 

 between him and them, into which no one attempts 

 to come, unless he has some particular business. 

 Neither is any one allowed to pass or sit behind 

 him, nor even near him, without his order or per- 

 mission ; so that our having been indulged with 

 this privilege, was a significant proof of the great 

 respect that was paid us. When any one wants to 

 speak with the king, he advances and sits down 

 before him, delivers what he has to say in a few 

 words, and having received his answer, retires again 

 to the circle. But if the king speaks to any one, 

 that person answers from his seat, unless he is to 

 receive some order, in which case he gets up from 

 his place and sits down before the chief with his 

 legs across ; which is a posture to which they are 

 so much accustomed, that any other mode of sitting 

 is disagreeable to them.* To speak to the king 

 standing would be accounted here as striking a mark 

 of rudeness, as it would be with us, for one to sit 

 down and put on his hat, when he addresses himself 

 to his superior, and that superior on his feet, and 

 uncovered. 



It does not indeed appear that any of the most 

 civilized nations, have ever exceeded this people 

 in the great order observed on all occasions ; in 

 ready compliance with the commands of their 

 chiefs ; and in the harmony that subsists throughout 

 all ranks, and unites them as if they were all one 

 man, informed with and directed by the same 



* This is peculiar to the men ; the women always sitting with 

 both legs thrown a little on one side. We owe this remark to 

 Captain King. 



