42 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
side of their plates, from which they frequently took very 
hearty draughts. Two favourite lap-dogs sat on the 
same sofa with the governor, one on his right hand and 
the other on his left, and occasionally received a bit 
from his hand, or the fragments on the plate from which 
he had eaten. A number of his punahele , (favourite 
chiefs,) and some occasional visitors, sat in circles 
on the floor, around large dishes of raw fish, baked 
hog, or dog, or goat, from which each helped him¬ 
self without ceremony, while a huge calabash of poe 
passed rapidly round among them. They became ex¬ 
ceedingly loquacious and cheerful during their meal; 
and several who had been silent before, now laughed 
loud, and joined with spirit in the mirth of their com¬ 
panions. Neat wooden dishes of water were handed to 
the governor and his friends, both before and after 
eating, in which they washed their hands. Uncivilized 
nations are seldom distinguished by habits of cleanli¬ 
ness ; but this practice, we believe, is an ancient custom, 
generally observed by the chiefs, and all the higher 
orders of the people, throughout the islands. 
Kairua, though healthy and populous, is destitute of 
fresh water, except what is found in pools, or small 
streams, in the mountains, four or five miles from the 
shore. An article so essential to the maintenance of a 
missionary station, it was desirable to procure, if pos¬ 
sible, nearer at hand.* As soon therefore as break¬ 
fast was ended, the party walked through the district 
in a south-east direction, to examine the ground, with 
* The late king Tamehameha used frequently to beg a cask of 
water from the captains of vessels touching at Kairua ; and it is 
one of the most acceptable presents a captain going to this sta¬ 
tion could make, either to the chiefs or missionaries^ 
