THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 



407 



Thefc Chiefs are, by the people, ftyled not only Lords of '777. 

 the Earth, but of the Sun and Sky ; and the king's family \^1J^ 

 affurne the name of Futtafaihe, from the God fo called, who 

 is probably their tutelary patron, and perhaps their common 

 anceftor. The fovereign's peculiar earthly title is, how- 

 ever, fimply Tooee T'ojiga. 



There is a decorum obferved in the prefence of their prin- 

 cipal men, and particularly of their king, that is truly ad- 

 mirable. Whenever he fits down, whether it be in an houfe,. 

 or without, all the attendants feat themfelves, at the fame 

 time, in a femicircle before him; leaving always a convenient 

 fpace between him and .them, into which no one attempts 

 to come, unlefs he has fome particular bufmefs. Neither 

 is any one allowed to pafs, or fit, behind him, nor even near 

 him, without his order or pcrmiflion ; fo that our having 

 been indulged with this privilege, was a lignificant proof 

 of the great refpe6t duic was paid us. When any one wants 

 to fpeak with the king, he advances and fits down before 

 him ; delivers what he has to fay in a few words ; and, 

 having received his anfwer, retires again to the circle. But if 

 the king fpeaks to any one, that perfon anfwers from his fear, 

 unlefs he is to receive fome order; in which cafe he gets up 

 from his place, and fits down before the Chief with his legs 

 acrofs ; which is a poflure to which they are fo much accuf- 

 tomed, that any other mode of fitting is difagreeable to 

 them*. To fpeak to the king ftanding, would be accounted 

 here as a ftriking mark of rudensfs, as it would be, with us, 

 for one to fit down and put on his hat, v/hen he addrelles - 

 himfelf lo his fuperior, and that fupedor on his feet, and 

 uncovered. 



* This is peculiar to the men; the women always fitting with both legs thiov/!V'- 

 a little on one fide. We owe tliis remark to Captain King. 



Id 



