POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
353 
This distinguishing mark of respect was not only- 
rendered at all times, and from every individual, to the 
person of the king, but even to his dwellings, wherever 
they might be. These houses were considered sacred, 
and were the only habitations, in any part of the island, 
where the king could alight, and take refreshment and 
repose. The ground, for a considerable space on both 
sides, was in their estimation sacred. A or carved 
image, fixed on a high pedestal, was placed by the road¬ 
side, at a short distance from the dwelling, and marked 
the boundary of the sacred soil. All travellers passing 
these houses, on approaching the first image, stripped off 
the upper part of their dress, and, whether the king was 
residing there or not, walked uncovered to the image at 
the opposite boundary. After passing this, they re¬ 
placed their poncho, or kind of mantle, and pursued their 
journey. 
To refuse this homage would have been considered not 
only as an indication of disaffection towards the king, 
but as rebellion against the government, and impiety 
towards the gods, exposing the individuals to the ven¬ 
geance of the supreme powers in the visible and invisible 
worlds. Such was the unapproachable elevation to which 
the superstitions of the people raised the rulers in the 
South Sea Islands, and such the marked distinction that 
prevailed between the king and people, from his birth, 
until he was superseded in title and rank by his own 
son. 
The ceremony of inauguration to the regal office, which 
took place when the king assumed the government, being 
one of considerable moment, was celebrated with a rude 
magnificence, though, like every other observance, it was 
distinguished by its disgusting abominations, and its 
