274 PAUMOTU GROUP AND 



and her attendants leading the way to the feast. This was spread in 

 a large house at Toanoa Point, which had been erected for the occa- 

 sion, surrounded with a palisade, and gaily decked with flags, &c. 



Near the entrance her majesty halted, and the children passed in 

 review before her, the monitors shouting at the top of their voices, 

 "God save our Queen Pomare, may her life be long!" to which the 

 children responded, " Amen." They then formed in line and received 

 the queen, taking off their caps and bowing low as she passed. About 

 thirty foreigners were there to pay their respects: these she invited to 

 dine with her, fine mats being spread for their accommodation. 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 acknowledgments 

 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 har- 

 mony 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. 



