NATIVE MEALS. 
323 
was sometimes like a stand used by us for hanging 
hats and coats on. It was often made with care, 
and carved, but more frequently it was a small 
arm of a tree, with a number of branches attached 
to it. These were cut off within a foot of the main 
stem, which was planted in some convenient part 
of the house, and upon these natural pegs they 
used to hang their calabashes, and other vessels 
containing victuals. They generally sat on the 
ground, and took their food near the door of their 
house : sometimes, however, they took their meals 
in the more luxurious manner of some of the 
eastern nations, lying nearly in a horizontal pos¬ 
ture, and resting on one arm, or reclining on a 
large cushion or pillow placed under the breast 
for that purpose: in this manner, the late king, 
with the members of his family, and many of the 
principal chiefs, were accustomed frequently to 
take their evening meal. Their intercourse with 
foreigners has taught many of the chiefs to prefer 
a bedstead to the ground, and a mattress to a mat, 
to sit on a chair, eat at a table, use a knife and 
fork, &c. This we think advantageous, not only 
to those who visit them for purposes of commerce r 
but to the natives themselves, as it increases their 
wants, and consequently stimulates to industry. 
