430 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[September, 
of the island be called into action 1 When will the natives, of 
their own accord, become industrioiis ? Tell us when the ocean 
will refuse its tribute of fish, and their rich groves no longer 
yield their tropical fruits — and we will answer. 
The water obtained at this place we deemed of better quality 
than any we had got during the whole cruise, and may be obtained 
with great facility. Refreshments of all kinds, common to the 
island, including good beef, were procured in abundance, and on 
the most reasonable terms. 
It has been said, and we have reason to believe with much 
truth, that the propensity of indulging to excess in the use of ar- 
dent spirits, when in their power, has greatly decreased within a 
few years past ; while other vices, common to the condition of 
such people, are still practised. 
We had not the pleasure of seeing her royal highness, the 
queen, as she was absent with her retinue of attendants at another 
part of the island, and at such a distance, that our short stay would 
not allow of her return. The day before we sailed, however, we 
received a visit from the queen-dow.ager, or mother of Pomare, 
the present queen. She was accompanied by her nephew, a 
youth of about ten years of age, and king of some of the neigh- 
bouring islands. The queen-mother might be forty years of age ; 
she was dressed in a striped blue silk frock, and wore a yellow 
shawl ; and was, in fact, not a bad specimen of royalty. Her 
bonnet was of Otaheitan manufacture ; but what shall we say of 
the other extremity ? Instead of the small ankle, and little foot 
peeping out from beneath — there stood two naked feet, both of 
them fantastically tattooed. The little king wore a short bob-tail- 
ed coat, thickly covered with little bell-buttons, and pantaloons, 
which descended but a little below his knees ! 
Accompanied by several of the missionaries, they dined on 
board the frigate ; partaking of an entertainment given to them by 
the commodore. The attendants in this train of royalty were 
mostly dressed in native costume, presenting a striking contrast 
to the display made by the authorities at the Sandwich Islands. 
In fact, though considerable advancement has unquestionably 
been made in some respects ; though churches have been estab- 
lished, schools kept up, and the ground partially cultivated — yet, 
when we consider the length of time permanent instructers have 
