196 INFLUENCE OF KAREMAKU. 



impulse towards civilization, required a skilful 

 guide to preserve it from degeneracy and error. 

 The chiefs of some of the islands, and espe 

 cially of O Tuai, had, even in Tameamea s life 

 time, founded a hope of future independence, on 

 the weakness of his successor, and immediately 

 upon his death proceeded to attempt the accom 

 plishment of their desires. But Karemaku, the 

 faithful friend and counsellor of the deceased 

 King, to whom the whole nation looked up with 

 affection, and whose penetration easily discerned 

 the evil consequences that would ensue from a 

 political disunion of the islands, devoted to the 

 son all the zeal and patriotism with which he 

 had served the father. By the influence of his 

 eloquence, and the force of his arms, he quelled 

 the insurrection, and re-established peace and 

 order ; but to enthrone the new monarch in the 

 hearts of his people exceeded his ability ; and 

 their disaffection proved that the germ of future 

 disorders was not wholly extinct. The King 

 chose Wahu for his residence, because this island 

 was in the best state for defence ; and giving 

 himself up entirely to dissipation, sunk lower 

 and lower in the estimation of his subjects. 



