392 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
paper^ or fragments of cloth^ preserved with care^ and read 
till fixed in the memory of their possessors. This state 
of affairs^ together with the earnest desire of the people 
to increase their knowledge of sacred truths rendered it 
exceedingly desirable that the press should be set to 
work as soon as possible. Within three months after 
oiir arrival at Afareaitu, every thing was in readiness, 
and on the 10th of June, 18175 the operations prepa¬ 
ratory to printing were commenced. 
Pomare, who was exceedingly delighted when he heard 
of its arrival, and had furnished every assistance in 
his power, both in the erection of the building, and the 
removal of the press, types, &c. from Papetoai, where 
they had been landed, was not less anxious to see it 
actually at work. He had for this purpose visited 
Afareaitu, and, on his return to the other side of the 
island, requested that he might be sent for whenever 
we should begin. A letter having been forwarded to 
inform him that we were nearly ready, he hastened 
to our settlement, and, in the afternoon of the day 
appointed, came to the printing-office, accompanied 
by a few favourite chiefs, and followed by a large con¬ 
course of people. ■ '■ ' 
Soon after his arrival, I took the composing-stick 
in my hand, and observing Pomare looking with curious 
delight at the new and shining types, I asked him if he 
would like to put together the first A B or alphabet. 
His countenance was lighted up with evident satisfac¬ 
tion, as he answered in the affirmative. I then placed 
the composing-stick in his hand| he took the capi¬ 
tal letters, one by one, out of their respective com¬ 
partments, and, fixing them, concluded the alphabet. 
He put together the small letters in the same man- 
