166 A MENTAL RESERVATION. 
been erected, on which the little Pomareh was 
to be seated. The procession was then to form 
a circle round him, and Mr. Tyrman, after mak- 
ing a speech, was to set on the King’s head a 
crown, resembling in shape that of England, in 
which country it had been made. A Bible was 
then to be placed in his hand, with the admo- 
nition, ‘‘ According to this Law, thou shalt 
govern thy people.” Upon this, the train be- 
ing marshalled as before, the King should 
descend from his throne, and proceed to the 
church, where, after the performance of divine 
service, he should be anointed. The ceremonies 
should then conclude with a grand banquet. 
It is remarkable that the Bible, and not 
the Act of the Constitution, was to be given 
to the King, as the rule of his government. 
Was not a sly mental reservation perhaps in- 
tended by this? If the Constitution should 
not have exactly the effect intendea, and the 
Tahaitians, emboldened by it, should seek to 
withdraw themselves from their leading-strings, 
then might the pupil of Nott, bound to them 
by no oath, come forward to them boldly, 
and force them back under the yoke of the 
