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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
unpleasing effect produced by their blending, in 
the apparel of the same individual, the ancient 
native with the modern European costume. Their 
dress thus indicated, equally with their half-native 
and half-foreign dwellings, the peculiar plastic, 
forming state of the nation, and the advancement 
of that process which was then constantly imparting 
to it some fresh impression, and developing new 
traits of character with rapid and delightful pro¬ 
gression. 
As the natives experienced the convenience of 
the new dresses, their desire for them increased, 
and the long loose dress soon became an every-day 
garment, while others of a finer texture, made 
after the European fashion, were procured for 
special occasions. From making plain, straight¬ 
forward garments, the more expert were anxious 
to advance still higher; and in process of time, 
frills appeared round the neck; and, ultimately, 
caps covered the heads, and shoes and stockings 
clothed the feet. Our assemblies now assumed 
quite a civilized appearance, every one, whose 
means were sufficient to procure it, dressing in a 
garment of European cloth. 
These changes in the exterior of the people 
were sometimes attended with rather humorous 
circumstances. I shall not soon forget the first 
time the queen, and about half a dozen of the 
chief women of Huahine, appeared in public, 
wearing the caps which had been sent as a present 
by some ladies in England. It was some time 
after the adoption of the English dress. When 
they first entered with their bonnets on, much 
surprise was not excited; but when these were 
removed, and the cap appeared, they viewed each 
other for some time most significantly, without, 
