502 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Aimata, the only surviving child of the king of Tahiti, 
although about the same age, appeared in perfect coiitrast 
to her husband. Her form was neither athletic nor cor¬ 
pulent, her countenance open and lively, her jet-black 
eye sparkling and iiltelligent, her manners and address 
engaging, her disposition volatile, and her conversation 
cheerful. In these respects she was the very opposite to 
Pomare, who was taciturn and reserved. 
She gave early indications of superior intellectual 
endowments; and, had her mental faculties been pro¬ 
perly cultivated, she would probably have excelled most 
of her own sex in the society in which she was destined 
to exert the highest influence. The restraint and appli¬ 
cation, however, which this required, were ill suited to 
her lively disposition, and uncontrolled habits of life. 
She has, nevertheless, been a frequent, and, while she 
continued, a promising pupil of the Missionaries, having, 
in a short time, made a pleasing progress in the acquisi¬ 
tion of knowledge. , She has for some time made a pro¬ 
fession of Christianity, and her conduct has generally 
been in accordance with the same. To the Missionaries 
she has invariably proved friendly ; and, since she has 
been the queen of Tahiti, has patronized and encouraged 
their efforts. 
Pomare and Aimata had been by their respective fami¬ 
lies betrothed to each other for some time prior to their 
meeting in Huahine. Considerable preparations had 
been made for the celebration of the marriage, and as the 
parties were nearly related to the reigning families in the 
Windward and Leeward Islands, arrangements were 
made for entertainments corresponding with the rank 
and dignity of Pomare and his bride. 
About noon on the day appointed, the young chieftain 
