FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 
93 
CHAP. IV. 
Government of the South Sea Islands monarchical and 
arbitrary—Intimately connected with idolatry—Differ-, 
ent ranks in society—Slavery—The proprietors of land 
—The regal family—Sovereignty hereditary—Abdica¬ 
tion of the father in favour of the son—Distinctions of 
royalty—Modes of travelling—Sacredness of the king’s 
person—Homage of the people—Singular ceremonies 
attending the inauguration of the king—Language of 
the Tahitian court—The royal residences—Dress, &c.— 
Sources of revenue—Tenure of land—Division of the 
country—National councils—Forfeiture of possessions. 
The government of the South Sea Islands, like 
that in Hawaii, was an arbitrary monarchy. The 
supreme authority was vested in the king, and was 
hereditary in his family. It differed materially 
from the systems existing among the Marquesians 
in the east, and the New Zealanders in the south¬ 
west. There is no supreme ruler in either of these 
groups of islands, but the different tribes or clans 
are governed by their respective chieftains, each 
of whom is, in general, independent of any other. 
Regarding the inhabitants of Tahiti, and the 
adjacent islands, as an uncivilized people, ignorant 
of letters and the arts, their modes of governing 
were necessarily rude and irregular. In many 
respects, however, their institutions indicate great 
attention to the principles of government, an 
acquaintance with the means of controlling the 
