POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 363 
usage among them in this respect^ was generally under¬ 
stood. 
The provision was usually ready dressed, though occa¬ 
sionally the vegetables and roots were brought uncooked, 
and the pigs led alive to the king’s servants. The pigs, 
after being presented to the king, were sometimes taken 
back by the farmer, and fed till required for use. Cloth 
for the dress of the king’s servants, houses for his abode, 
and canoes not only for himself but also for those of 
his household, were furnished by the inhabitants of the 
islands. 
Although the king’s will was the supreme law, and the 
government in some respects despotic, it approximated 
more to a mixed administration, a union of monarchy 
and aristocracy. The king had usually one confidential 
chief near his person, who was his adviser in every affair 
of importance, and was, in fact, the prime minister. 
Frequently there wxre two or three who possessed the 
confidence, and aided the councils, of the king. These 
ministers were not responsible to any one for the advice 
they gave. So great, however, was the influence of the 
raatiras, that a measure of any importance, such as the 
declaration of war, or the fitting out a fleet, was seldom 
undertaken without their being first consulted. This 
was effected by the friends of the king going among 
them, and proposing the affair in contemplation, or by 
convening a public council for its consideration. 
Their public measures were not distinguished by 
promptness or decision, excepting when they wreaked 
vengeance upon the poor and helpless victims of their 
displeasure. After a meeting of the chiefs had been 
summoned, it was a long time before all came together, 
and their meetings were often interrupted by adjournments. 
