FIRST PRINTING BY THE KING. 221 
favourite chiefs, and followed by a large concourse 
of people. 
Soon after his arrival, I took the composing- 
stick in my hand, and, observing Pomare looking 
with curious delight at the new and shining types, 
I asked him if he would like to put together the 
first A B, or alphabet. His countenance was lighted 
up with evident satisfaction, as he answered in the 
affirmative. I then placed the composing-stick in 
his hand; he took the capital letters, one by one, 
out of their respective compartments, and, fixing 
them, concluded the alphabet. He put together 
the small letters in the same manner; and the few 
monosyllables, composing the first page of the small 
spelling-book, were afterwards added. He was 
delighted when he saw the first page complete, 
and appeared desirous to have it struck off at 
once ; but when informed that it would not be 
printed till as many were composed as would fill a 
sheet, he requested that he might be sent for 
whenever it was ready. He visited us almost 
daily until the 30th, when, having received inti¬ 
mation that it was ready for the press, he came, 
attended by only two of his favourite chiefs. They 
were, however, followed by a numerous train of 
his attendants, &c. who had by some means heard 
that the work was about to commence. Crowds 
of the natives were already collected around the 
door, but they made way for him, and, after he 
and his two companions had been admitted, the 
door was closed, and the small window next the 
sea darkened, as he did not wish to be overlooked 
by the people on the outside. The king examined, 
with great minuteness and pleasure, the form as it 
lay on the press, and prepared to try to take off 
the first sheet ever printed in his dominions. 
