106 



THE CRUISE OF THE ' CUBAgOA.' 



poles, conuected in tlie centre by a piece of strong netting, 

 whicli made a safe and comfortable seat, and was supported bj- 

 a man at each end. The King has resolved to have an open- 

 ing cut through the reef, which has been partly done, but 

 it is much to be feared that it -will not be very soon ac- 

 complished. We proceeded to the palace, which stands on 

 a pretty lawn ornamented with casuarinas, and surrounded 



KINO GKOitCK"? IIOrSK, TOXOATAItU. 



bv a fence of cocoa-nut leaves. The casuarinas had boon 

 planted, so wo were told, in memory of a bolovod son, who 

 had died at 1 years of age. It is said that, since this loss, 

 the King's disposition has been so much altered by his grief, 

 that he has become very melanclioly and silent, which, how- 

 ever, has not prevented his adojiting othoi" cliildron. among 

 will nil wi> wore shown lh(^ nno lli;it is liis lavniiritc. whose 



