SO'2 FROM CALIFORNIA TO 



are not always so tall and so robust as the chiefs of 

 the Sandwich Islands. One of the ministers had 

 the waist half way up his back ; the coat had been 

 buttoned with the greatest difficulty ; he perspired 

 in his tight state dress ; his distress was very evi- 

 dent, but fashion would not suffer him to relieve 

 himself of this inconvenience. It is very singular 

 that the savages should surpass the Europeans in 

 bearing the inconveniencies which the power of 

 fashion imposes on them. The sentinels at the door 

 were quite naked j a cartridge-box and a pair of 

 pistols were tied round their waist, and they held 

 a musket in their hand. Afler the king had 

 poured out some very good wine, and had him- 

 self drunk to our health, I made him acquainted 

 with my intention of taking in fresh provisions, 

 water, and wood. A young man of the name of 

 Cook, the only white whom the king had about 

 him, was quick, not without education, and spoke 

 fluently the language of the country ; he had for- 

 merly served as pilot on board a ship, but had been 

 settled on the island for several years. He was a 

 favourite with the king, and was in possession of a 

 considerable portion of land ; he acted as inter- 

 preter between us. Tamaahmaah desired him to 

 say to me as follows : — " I learn that you are the 

 commander of a ship of war, and are engaged in a 

 voyage similar to those of Cook and Vancouver, 

 and consequently do not engage in trade ; it is 

 therefore my intention not to carry on any with 



