564 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCKBS. 
The rich and showy colours exhibited in the apparel 
of the chiefs, the uniform white raiment of the queen and 
her companions, in striking contrast with their olive- 
coloured complexions and dark glossy curling hair, pre¬ 
sented an unusual appearance. The picturesque dress of 
the raatiras, who wore the purau or beautifully fine white 
matting tiputa, bordered round the neck and the edges 
with a most elegant fringe, and bore in the right hand a 
highly polished staff, or kind of halbert, of black iron- 
wood, together with the diversified appearance of the 
spectators, greatly increased the novel and imposing 
effect of the whole. 
During the ceremony, I observed a tear moistening 
the eye of the youthful bride. Agitation of feeling, per¬ 
haps, produced it, as I have every reason to believe no 
cloud of anticipated evil overshadowed her prospects; and 
she is reported to have said, that had she not been be¬ 
trothed, but free to choose her future partner, she should 
have selected the individual her friends had chosen for 
her. 
When the service was over, the registry made, and 
the necessary signatures affixed, the parties returned, 
to partake of the entertainment provided. We were 
invited to join them, but declined the honour; yet 
walked down to see the preparation, and, among other 
articles of dessert, noticed two barrels full of pine¬ 
apples. As soon as the ceremony was concluded, the 
governor’s guards, who were drawn up on the outside of 
the chapel, fired several volleys of musketry, and a British, 
vessel lying in the harbour, saluted them with twenty- 
one guns. 
Betrothment, as in the instance of Pomare and Aimata, 
was the frequent method by which marriage-contracts 
