TONGATABOO. 9 



entertained that they would have followed up their attack even to 

 the town of Nukualofa; most of the warriors had, therefore, been 

 under arms the whole night. 



We were led through all this confusion to the small hut of Tubou 

 or King Josiah : here we were presented to His Majesty, with whom 

 I shook hands. He was sitting on a mat winding a ball of sennit, 

 which he had been making, and at which occupation he continued 

 for the most part of the time. He has the appearance of being about 

 sixty years old ; his figure is tall, though much bent with age ; 

 he has a fine dignified countenance, but is represented as a very 

 imbecile old man, fit for any thing but to rule; as domestic and 

 affectionate in his family, caring little about the affairs of govern- 

 ment, provided he can have his children and grandchildren around 

 him to play with, in which amusement he passes the most of his 

 time. Seats were provided for us from the missionaries' houses, 

 and were placed in the hut, whose sides being open, gave us a 

 full view of all that was passing without. King Josiah, with his 

 nearest relatives and the highest chiefs, about ten in number, occu- 

 pied the hut, together with the missionaries and ourselves. The 

 warriors were grouped about in little squads, in their various gro- 

 tesque accoutrements. 



When all was apparently ready, we waited some few minutes for 

 King George. When he made his appearance, I could not but 

 admire him : he is upwards of six feet in height, extremely well 

 proportioned, and athletic; his limbs are rounded and full; his 

 features regular and manly, with a fine open countenance and 

 sensible face ; all which were seen to the greatest advantage. The 

 only covering he wore was a large white tapa or gnato, girded in 

 loose folds around his waist, and hanging to the ground, leaving 

 his arms and chest quite bare. He at once attracted all eyes ; for, on 

 approaching, every movement showed he was in the habit of com- 

 manding those about him. With unassuming dignity, he quietly 

 took his seat without the hut, and as if rather prepared to be a 

 listener than one who was to meet us in council. This was after- 

 wards explained to me by Mr. Tucker, who stated that King George 

 is not yet considered a native chief of Tonga, and, notwithstanding 

 his actual power here and at Vavao, is obliged to take his seat among 

 the common people. On observing his situation, and knowing him 

 to be the ruling chief de facto, I immediately requested that he 

 might be admitted to the hut ; and he was accordingly requested to 



