]06 VOYAGE TO THE 



the sickness and death of the youthful royal pair, 

 were described with much humour, good-nature, and 

 feeling. 



The natives were delighted with this performance, 

 especially with that part which exhibited the sea-sick- 

 ness, and the efforts of the king to speak English ; 

 but our slight acquaintance with the language did not 

 enable us fully to appreciate the allusions. In the 

 next performance, however, this defect was less felt. 

 The song was executed by three celebrated bards, 

 whose gray beards hung down upon their breasts : 

 they were clothed in their rude native costume, and 

 each had the under part of his right arm tattooed in 

 straight lines from the wrist to the armpit. They 

 accompanied themselves upon drums made of two 

 gourds neatly joined together, and ornamented with 

 black devices. Each bard had one of these instru- 

 ments attached to his left wrist by a cord ; the instru- 

 ment was placed upon a cushion, and the performer 

 throughout measured time by beating with his right 

 hand upon the aperture of the gourd. The subject 

 related to the illustrious Tamehameha, whose warlike 

 exploits are the constant theme of these people. Oc- 

 casionally the bards seemed to be inspired ; they struck 

 their left breasts violently with the palms of their 

 hands, and performed a number of evolutions with 

 their drums, all of which were executed simulta- 

 neously, and with ease, decision, and grace. On the 

 whole it was an exhibition very creditable to the 

 talents of the performers. To this succeeded several 

 dances : the first, performed by a native of Atooi, was 

 recommended principally by a display of muscular 

 energy ; the next was executed by a man who was 

 esteemed the most accomphshed actor of his time in 



