TAHITI. 
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Queen s sons a tall, portly, fine-featured man, attired in black. On entering a large room 
we saw Queen Pomare seated in an arm-chair, and behind her four young ladies, members 
of the royal family, including the Crown Princess and the Queen of Raiatea. The conversation 
was carried on in French and Tahitian through an interpreter; 
Her Majesty, who seemed to be much gratified by our visit, replying 
in her native tongue. An oil-painting representing the Queen in her 
younger days, dressed in a white satin dress with short sleeves in 
the style of the First Empire, adorned the walls of the reception- 
room. Queen Pomare is, if I were rightly informed, sister of King 
Pomare II., who was son of Pomare I., better known perhaps as 
the chief Otoo, the friend of Captain Cook. 
A few days after this visit, the Queen and her relatives 
were present at a ball in Government House. The elegant and 
brillantly-lighted rooms were crowded with Parisian and Tahitian 
toilettes, French and English uniforms. The Queen, accompanied by 
two female attendants carrying a box full of cigarettes, would at times step out on the 
verandah with her son, to enjoy a quiet whiff in the cool evening breeze. The lawn in front 
of Government House was crowded with natives, attracted by the strains of our amateur band. 
The latter had already appropriated a highly popular air, which, though not of local origin, 
band had attained a creditable amount of proficiency. Its performances on shore must 
have astonished the aborigines of the Pacific Islands; while the sounds of music on 
board greatly helped to relieve the tedium of a long cruise. Wind and weather permitting, 
one evening in the week the band played for the recreation of our tars. Sailois, it need 
hardly be said, are excessively fond of dancing; some, indeed, excel in this graceful art 
