CHARACTER OF POM A RE. 
2 51 
His character was totally different from that of 
his father—who was a man of enterprise, excessive 
labour and perseverance, bent on the aggrandise¬ 
ment of his family, and the improvement of his 
country, clearing waste tracts of land, planting 
them, and generally occupying the people with 
some public work. Pomare took no delight in 
exertions of this kind; his habits of life were 
indolent, his disposition sluggish, and his first 
appearance was by no means adapted to produce 
a favourable impression on a stranger's mind. 
Captain Wilson conceived such an idea of his 
stupidity and incapacity, as to suppose him the 
last person on whom any favourable impression 
would be made. 
He was, however, though heavy in his appear¬ 
ance and indolent in his habits, inquisitive, atten¬ 
tive, and more thoughtful perhaps than any other 
native of the islands;—a keen observer of every 
thing that passed under his notice, although at the 
time he would not appear to be paying particular 
regard. He was not only curious and patient in 
his inquiries, laborious in his researches, but often 
exhibited a great degree of ingenuity. I have 
sometimes been in his company, when he has 
kept a party of chiefs in constant laughter, as 
much from the coolness with which his expres¬ 
sions were uttered, as the humour they con¬ 
tained. He was not, however, fond of convi¬ 
viality or society, but appeared to be more at ease 
when alone, or attended only by one or two 
favourite chiefs. 
In mental application, Pomare certainly ex¬ 
ceeded every other Tahitian; and, had he been 
free from practices which so banefully retarded his 
progress, and enjoyed the advantage of a regular 
