366 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
was said to be lively and facetious. He reached 
England when the interest of Captain Cook’s first 
voyage, and the deep impression produced by his 
discoveries, were still vivid and universal, and 
anticipation was raised to the highest pitch, in 
reference to the developments expected from his 
second visit to that distant part of the world. 
Mai being the first native of the islands of the 
South Sea, brought to England, produced an 
excitement as unprecedented, in connexion with 
an untutored islander, as it was powerful and ex¬ 
tensive, even in the most polished circles of 
society. Mai, on his arrival in London, was con¬ 
sidered a sort of prodigy; he was introduced to 
fashionable parties, conducted to the splendid 
entertainments of the highest classes, and pre¬ 
sented at the British court amidst a brilliant 
assemblage of all that was illustrious in rank, and 
dignified in station. The Tahitians in general 
are good imitators of others; this talent he 
possessed in an eminent degree, and adopted 
that polite, elegant, and unembarrassed address, 
whereby the class with which he associated has 
ever been distinguished. Naturally quick in his 
perceptions, and lively in his conversation, 
although the structure and idiom of his own lan¬ 
guage effectually prevented his speaking English 
with ease or fluency, he was soon able to make 
himself understood; and the embarrassment he 
occasionally felt, in giving utterance to his 
thoughts, perhaps added to the interest of those 
who were watching the effect which every object in 
a world so new to him must naturally occasion. 
Every place of public amusement, and every 
exhibition adapted to administer pleasure, was re¬ 
peatedly visited ; and the multiplicity of spectacles 
