422 
MISSIONARY TOUR 
prietors of land. This rank would also include most 
of the priests under the former dispensation. 
In the fourth rank may be included the small far¬ 
mers who rent from ten to twenty or thirty acres of 
land, the mechanics, viz. canoe and house builders, 
fishermen, musicians, and dancers; indeed, all the 
labouring classes, those who attach themselves to some 
chief or farmer, and labour on his land for their food 
and clothing, as well as those who cultivate small por¬ 
tions of land for their own advantage. 
Though the chiefs did not receive that abject and hu¬ 
miliating homage which is frequently paid to superiors 
in barbarous nations, where the government is arbi¬ 
trary, yet the common people always manifested a 
degree of respect to the chiefs, according to their rank 
or office. This, towards the sacred chiefs, amounted 
almost to adoration, as they were on no occasion 
allowed to touch their persons, but prostrated them¬ 
selves before them, and could not enter their houses 
without first receiving permission. The behaviour 
among the chiefs was courteous, and manifested a de¬ 
sire to render themselves agreeable to each other ; while 
all observed a degree of etiquette in their direct inter¬ 
course with the king. He is usually attended by a 
number of courtiers or favourites, called Punahele, who 
join in his amusements and occupations, except in 
affairs of government, with which they seem to have 
no concern. When in a state of inebriation, all marks 
of distinction were lost, but at other times even these 
favourites conducted themselves towards their sove¬ 
reign with great respect. I have often seen Kapihe 
and Kekuanaoa , the two who accompanied Rihoriho to 
England, come into his presence, and wait without 
