KAREMAKU S RECEPTION. 231 



black waistcoat, and pantaloons, both of very 

 fine cloth. He was still in mourning for his 

 beloved Tameamea, and his hat was bound with 

 crape. The lady s dress was of black silk. A 

 crowd of people of both sexes assembled to 

 welcome the Regent. His foot had scarcely 

 touched the shore, when they all began to rub 

 each other s noses, and at a given signal, to weep 

 aloud. This is the established etiquette in wel 

 coming a great chief. Some of the old women 

 of rank surrounded Karemaku, under Chinau s 

 direction, and rubbing each other&quot;s noses, sang 

 in a plaintive tone a song to the following effect : 

 &quot; Where hast thou stayed so long, beloved 

 ruler ? We have wept for thee every day. Hea 

 ven be praised that thou art here again ! Dost 

 thou feel how the earth rejoices under thy foot 

 steps ? Dost thou hear how the pigs which scent 

 thee, joyfully grunt their welcome ? Dost thou 

 smell the roasted fish that waits thy eating ? 

 Come, we will cherish thee, that thou mayest take 

 comfort among us.&quot; It must be confessed, that 

 if the O Wahi language be peculiarly adapted 

 for poetry, this composition does not do it jus 

 tice. Karemaku laughed at this reception, and 



