~~ 
A ROYAL MESSENGER. Lrg 
common. Since I could only afford to remain 
a very short time at Tahaiti, Dr. Eschscholz 
and myself immediately took possession of my 
new abode, and erected our little observatory. 
After a long, wearisome voyage, I cannot 
express the delight I experienced in reposing 
amidst such enchanting scenes of natural 
beauty. We passed a charming evening, and 
a most refreshing night under our roof of 
leaves. 
In the morning, as we were drinking our 
coffee and smoking our pipes, while laying the 
plan of our observations so as to employ our 
short time to the best advantage, a messenger 
arrived from the Queen requesting to speak 
with me. 
I desired he might be admitted, and a giant 
Yeri strode proudly in, accompanied by our 
pilot as interpreter. His only garment, with 
the exception of the girdle always worn by the 
men, was an old worn-out sand-coloured coat, 
with great shining buttons, in the fashion of 
the last century, and so much too small for its 
present possessor, that he could not button it, 
while his naked arms stuck out more than a 
Io 
