OCT. 1770 UNHEALTHINESS OF THE CLIMATE 369 



stood, so he looked upon them with more than wonder, 

 almost mad with the numberless novelties which diverted 

 his attention from one to the other. He danced about the 

 streets examining everything to the best of his abilities. 

 One of Tupia's first observations was the various dresses 

 which he saw worn by different people ; on his being told 

 that in this place every different nation wore their own 

 country dress, he desired to have his, on which South Sea 

 cloth was sent for on board, and he clothed himself accord- 

 ing to his taste. We were now able to get food for him 

 similar to that of his own country, and he grew visibly 

 better every day, so that I doubted not in the least of his 

 perfect recovery, as our stay at this place was not likely to 

 be very short. 



Ever since our arrival at this place, Dr. Solander and I 

 had applied to be introduced to the General, or Governor, 

 on one of his Public or Council days ; we had been put off 

 by various foolish excuses, and at last were told plainly that 

 as we could have no business with him, we could have no 

 reason to desire that favour. This did not satisfy us, so I 

 went myself to the Shdbandar, who is also master of the 

 ceremonies, in order to ask his reasons for refusing so trifling 

 a request, but was surprised at being very politely received, 

 and told that the very next day he would attend us, which 

 he did, and we were introduced, and had the honour of con- 

 versing for a few minutes with his high mightiness, who was 

 very police to us. 



Ever since our first arrival here we had been universally 

 told of the extreme unwholesomeness of the place, which 

 we, they said, should severely feel on account of the fresh- 

 ness and healthiness of our countenances. This threat, 

 however, we did not much regard, thinking ourselves too 

 well seasoned to variety of climates to fear any, and trusting- 

 more than all to an invariable temperance in everything, 

 which we had as yet unalterably kept during our whole 

 residence in the warm latitudes. Before the end of the 

 month, however, we were made sensible of our mistake. 

 Poor Tupia's broken constitution felt it first, and he grew 



2 B 



