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- 
