318 VOYAGE TO THE 



his mind was active and unimpaired ; and when the 

 conversation turned upon the affairs of the island he 

 1826. was quite energetic, regretting that his confinement 

 prevented his looking more into them, and his great- 

 est annoyance seemed to be his inability to see every 

 thing executed himself. He expressed his attach- 

 ment strongly to the British government, and his 

 gratitude for the respect that had been shown the 

 descendant of his illustrious patron, and his queen, 

 by sending their bodies to the Sandwich Islands in 

 so handsome a manner, and also for the footing upon 

 which the affairs of the state had been placed by 

 Lord Byron in command of the Blonde. He was 

 anxious to requite these favours, and pressed his de- 

 sire to be allowed to supply all the demands of the 

 ship himself, in requital for the liberality with which 

 his countrymen were treated in England. I could 

 not accede to this effusion of the chief's gratitude, 

 as the expense attending it would have been consi- 

 derably felt by him, and more particularly as Lord 

 Byron had previously declined the same offer. 



The young king, who had been taking an airing, 

 arrived at this moment, and repeated the sentiments 

 of his protector ; making at the same time many in- 

 quiries for his friends in the Blonde. Boki was ab- 

 sent at Owyhee attending his sister, who was dan- 

 gerously ill. Madam Boki, Kuanoa, Manuia, and 

 the other chiefs who were of the party in England, 

 were all anxious to show us civility ; and spoke of 

 England in such high terms, that they will appa- 

 rently never forget the kind treatment they expe- 

 rienced there : but they had a great dread of the 

 diseases of our country, and many of them consider- 

 ed it very unhealthy. My impression was, that 



