KING CAKOBAU. 73 



jesty has been described repeatedly as a man of almost 

 gigantic dimensions. But he is only of fair proportions, 

 and does not measure more than six feet in height. I 

 can speak very positively on these points, having 

 often seen him with nothing more than a few yards 

 of native cloth on, as well as in a blue naval uniform. 

 When dressed in uniform, people would scarcely believe 

 that he could be the same man whose powerful build 

 excited their attention. When one day in his company 

 I got quite close to him, in order to take his measure 

 without his becoming aware of the attempt. But his 

 quick eye had detected the studies of comparative ana- 

 tomy in which I was engaged, and very good-naturedly 

 he offered to stand close to me, when it was found that 

 he was more than two inches shorter than I am, without 

 his shoes and socks, whilst I measure exactly six feet 

 two inches, so that he is after all only six feet high. 

 It is not difficult to reconcile the statements relating 

 to his gigantic stature with what I have ascertained. 

 People not accustomed to move much amongst natives 

 almost in an absolute state of nudity, are generally de- 

 ceived about the size of the person they see before 

 them. Moreover, the King, previous to his conversion 

 to Christianity, wore a large head of hair, all frizzled and 

 curled in such a way as to stand literally on end, and 

 covered with a piece of white native cloth, a device 

 which must have greatly added to his height, and in- 

 duced foreigners to believe him much taller than he 

 really is. He has of late years suffered a little from 

 elephantiasis, but generally enjoys very good health. 

 None of the portraits that have been published do jus- 



