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 Shabandar, 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 polite 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 
28 
