80 ISLAND OF TAHITI. 



age, and has been twice married — the first time to a young 

 chief of Taha, from whom she was divorced. She was mar- 

 ried to her present husband about two years since, and thus 

 far the union has proved a happy one. She has several chil- 

 dren, one of whom is a son. I have been informed that she 

 possesses many excellent qualities, and is much beloved by her 

 people. 



October 7th. This morning the king-consort and Mr. 

 Pritchard, H. B. M. consul, came on board, and breakfasted 

 with Captain Hudson. The king is probably 23 years of age, 

 well formed, and rather good-looking. His dress showed no 

 evidence of his rank ; it consisted of a calico shirt, brown drill- 

 ing pantaloons, a black bombazine jacket, and straw hat. He 

 wore no stockings, and his shoes were old and patched, which 

 induced our good purser to make him a present of a new pair. 

 When breakfast was over, he went round to look at the ship, 

 with which he appeared much pleased. 



Mr. Pritchard was formerly connected with the mission. 

 His house is decidedly the best I have seen on the island ; he 

 owns large tracts of land, and he is said to exercise much 

 influence over the queen and the government.* 



At 10 o'clock the king left the ship, accompanied by 

 Captain Hudson. 



• The Government is a Constitutional Monarchy. Tahiti now belongs to the French. 



