CRUISE OF THE PORPOISE. 293 



On the centre of these mats were placed fresh leaves of the hibiscus, 

 on which native food was served, consisting of baked pig, taro, 

 bread-fruit, &c., cooked in a variety of ways, with fermented cocoa-nut 

 pulp : for sauce there were small calabashes of salt water, and for 

 drink the young cocoa-nut milk : each person was furnished with a 

 plate, but knives and forks were not supplied. Mr. Pritchard said a 

 short grace, when her majesty set the example to the rest, and they 

 all began with good-will. 



When the royal party had finished, the schools by districts suc- 

 ceeded ; and after all had done, the procession was again formed, and 

 marched several times round the enclosure, chaunting, and going 

 through a variety of gesticulations and manoeuvres, with surprising 

 accuracy, and in excellent concert. 



Several speeches were now made by Mr. Pritchard and the chiefs, 

 highly commendatory of the conduct of all, and laudatory of those 

 present, including the foreigners, who returned their acknowledg- 

 ments to the queen for the civility. Thus ended this day's feast. 



The scene that took place the next day will serve to show the 

 hostile feelings of which I made mention in my account of this island, 

 as existing between the high chiefs and the queen's party. 



A meeting had been called for the purpose of receiving the reports 

 of the auxiliary societies, and the returns of contributions : the people 

 were found assembled ; her majesty was robed in a crimson silk, and 

 her maids in close-fitting jackets of the same colour, with white 

 skirts. Notwithstanding the religious tendency of the meeting, want 

 of harmony interrupted its proceedings, and extended to such lengths 

 at one time as to have had the appearance of terminating very 

 seriously. 



This misunderstanding arose from the circumstance of the Matavai 

 people having dined with the queen the day before, instead of keeping 

 an engagement they had made with the Anaan chiefs at another place. 

 The latter were indignant that they should have been thus treated with 

 neglect without apology. 



The Matavaians, instead of coming into the chapel at the door 

 appointed for them, chose that which had been appropriated to the 

 Anaans, at the opposite end. The latter, imagining that this was 

 done out of bravado, pushed back the foremost of the Matavaians and 

 closed the door. The Matavaians, being under the impression that it 

 was intended they should be excluded altogether, burst it open and 

 rushed in, headed by Hitoti and Paofai. A scene of uproar and con- 



VOL. IV. 74 



