TAHITI AND EIMEO. 



45 



messes, finally became an annoyance, and on board the Peacock they 

 had at last recourse to "clearing the ship of strangers" during meals. 

 Taua did not mind this ; and when we left Matavai, he was so kind 

 as to remove to Papieti, in order to be near his friends. 



Among other visiters on this occasion, I had the honour of the 

 company of General Freyre, formerly President of Chili, who has 

 chosen Tahiti as his residence. It gave me great pleasure to become 

 acquainted with him, particularly as I had it in my power to give 

 him recent news from his own country and Peru, which he was 

 desirous of hearing. He spoke much of the deprivation he suffered 

 by a separation from his family, and from the want of society, but 

 littered not a word of complaint against his enemies. 



He lives in a small cottage on the bank of the harbour at Papieti, 

 where he is highly respected; his manner and whole deportment are 

 gentlemanly; he is tall and robust, with a florid complexion, and 

 appears about fifty-five years of age. In the chapter on Chili, his 

 public acts have been sufficiently enlarged upon; and although his 

 political course may have been much condemned, I can bear testi- 

 mony to the high estimation in which his private character is held in 

 his native country. 



There are many pretty walks about Tahiti; the small streams, 

 flowing through luxuriant woods, add much to its beauty; these 



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