FIRST INTERVIEW WITH POMARE. 197 
interest, as those among whom we were to spend 
the remainder of our days. Many of them wore 
some article of European dress, and all were 
attired in native cloth, though several had only a 
maro, or broad girdle, round the waist. There 
was a degree of openness in their countenances, 
and vivacity in their manners, which was not un¬ 
pleasing. 
We had not been long at anchor, before Pomare 
sent us a large albicore, and a variety of provi¬ 
sions, and shortly after came on board. I was 
struck with his tall and almost gigantic appear¬ 
ance ; he was upwards of six feet high, and seemed 
about forty years of age. His forehead was rather 
prominent and high, his eyebrows narrow, well 
defined, and nearly straight; his hair, which was 
combed back from his forehead, and the sides of 
his face, was of a glossy black colour, slightly 
curled behind; his eyes were small, sometimes 
appearing remarkably keen, at others rather heavy; 
his nose was straight, and the nostrils by no means 
large, his lips were thick, and his chin projecting. 
He was arrayed in a handsome tiputa, of native 
manufacture. His body was stout, but not dis- 
proportioned to his height; and his limbs, though 
well formed, were not firm and muscular. He 
welcomed me to Tahiti; but, at the same time, 
appeared disappointed when he learned that only 
one Missionary had arrived, having been led to 
expect several. His acquaintance with English 
was very partial, and mine with Tahitian much 
more so; our conversation was, consequently, 
neither free nor animated. He inquired after 
King George, Governor Macquarrie, and Mr. 
Marsden; the time of our departure from New 
Holland; the nature of our voyage, &c. These 
