xviii VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO THE 'BEAGLE' 443 



meeting with a very different opinion of the Tahitians from 

 what we entertained when we entered. The chiefs and people 

 resolved to subscribe and complete the sum which was wanting; 

 Captain Fitz Roy urged that it was hard that their private 

 property should be sacrificed for the crimes of distant islanders. 

 They replied that they were grateful for his consideration, but 

 that Pomarre was their Queen, and that they were determined 

 to help her in this her difficulty. This resolution and its prompt 

 execution, for a book was opened early the next morning, made 

 a perfect conclusion to this very remarkable scene of loyalty and 

 good feeling. 



After the main discussion was ended, several of the chiefs 

 took the opportunity of asking Captain Fitz Roy many 

 intelligent questions on international customs and laws, relating 

 to the treatment of ships and foreigners. On some points, as 

 soon as the decision was made, the law was issued verbally on 

 the spot. This Tahitian parliament lasted for several hours ; 

 and when it was over Captain Fitz Roy invited Queen Pomarre 

 to pay the Beagle a visit. 



November 25///. — In the evening four boats were sent for 

 her majesty ; the ship was dressed with flags, and the yards 

 manned on her coming on board. She was accompanied by 

 most of the chiefs. The behaviour of all was very proper ; 

 they begged for nothing, and seemed much pleased with Captain 

 Fitz Roy's presents. The Queen is a large awkward woman, 

 without any beauty, grace, or dignity. She has only one royal 

 attribute : a perfect immovability of expression under all 

 circumstances, and that rather a sullen one. The rockets were 

 most admired ; and a deep " Oh ! " could be heard from the 

 shore, all round the dark bay, after each explosion. The 

 sailors' songs were also much admired ; and the queen said she 

 thought that one of the most boisterous ones certainly could not 

 be a hymn ! The royal party did not return on shore till past 

 midnight. 



26///. — In the evening, with a gentle land-breeze, a course 

 was steered for New Zealand ; and as the sun set, we had a 

 farewell view of the mountains of Tahiti — the island to which 

 every voyager has offered up his tribute of admiration. 



