286 VOYAGE TO THE 



could possibly have anticipated from so young a 

 husband. 



^f' Fearful that we might have misunderstood the 

 morning invitation, or that we were later than we 

 had been expected, we began to offer apologies, and 

 to excuse ourselves for breaking in upon the repose 

 of the party ; but the indisposition of the queen 

 appeared to be the cause, as she was suffering from 

 repletion, and, forgetting all about the invitation, 

 had retired earlier than usual. She had scarcely had 

 sufficient rest when we arrived to engage in any 

 amusement herself, but gave us a friendly reception, 

 and desired that a dance might be performed for our 

 entertainment. This was an indulgence we hardly 

 expected, such performances being prohibited by 

 law, under severe penalties, both against the per- 

 formers, and upon those who should attend such 

 exhibitions ; and for the same reason it was necessary 

 that it should be executed quietly, and that the vivo, 

 or reed pipe, should be played in an under tone, that 

 it might not reach the ears of an aava, or policeman, 

 who was parading the beach, in a soldier's jacket, 

 with a rusty sword ; for even the use of this melo- 

 dious little instrument, the delight of the natives, 

 from whose nature the dance and the pipe are inse- 

 parable, is now strictly prohibited. None of us had 

 witnessed the dances of these people before they 

 were restrained by law ; but in that which was 

 exhibited on the present occasion, there was nothing 

 at which any unprejudiced person could take offence; 

 and it confirmed the opinion I had often heard ex- 

 pressed, that Pomarree, or whoever framed the laws, 

 would have more effectually attained his object had 

 these amusements been restricted within proper 



