TONGATABOO. 9 
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 government, 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, occupied the hut, together with the missionaries and 
ourselves. The warriors were grouped about in little squads, in their 
various grotesque 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 commanding those about him. With unas- 
suming 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 afterwards 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 situa- 
tion, and knowing him to be the ruling chief de facto, I immediately 
requested that he might be admitted to the hut; and he was accord- 
ingly requested to enter, which he did, and seated himself at a respect- 
ful distance from the king, to whom he showed great and marked 
respect. 
Mr. Rabone, the assistant missionary, was the interpreter, and the 
conversation or talk that passed between us was in an undertone. 
The peculiarity of figurative speech, common to all the islanders, was 
very marked in King George, affording a condensed, or rather concise 
mode of expression, that is indicative of sense and comprehension. 
They began by assuring me of the pleasure it gave them to see me, 
when they were just about going to war, and were in much trouble. I 
proposed myself as a mediator between the parties, and that each party 
VOL. III. 2 
