254 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES 
and recreation. At first, he had a writing-house 
erected, that he might follow his favourite pursuit, 
uninterrupted by his domestics or the members of 
his household ; he then had a table, but, during the 
latter part of his life, he usually wrote lying in a 
horizontal position, leaning his chest on a high 
cushion, and having a desk before him. 
Pomare kept a regular daily journal, and wrote 
in a book provided for that purpose, every text of 
scripture that he heard. Sometimes he wrote out 
the prayers he used in social and private devotion; 
maintained an extensive correspondence, after the 
introduction of writing among the people ; pre¬ 
pared the first code of laws for his kingdom ; tran¬ 
scribed them fairly with his own hand, and promul¬ 
gated them with his voice. He also rendered very 
important aid to the Missionaries in the translation 
of the scriptures, and copied out many portions 
before they were printed. 
The king was remarkably pleased with engrav¬ 
ings and paintings, and has often called at my 
house to look at the plates in an Encyclopaedia, 
frequently asking if 1 thought it possible for him 
to learn to draw. I always told him it depended 
on his own industry; that I had no doubt of his 
capacity, if he would apply. In connexion with 
these encouragements, I received from him the 
accompanying note, soon after our settlement at 
Afareaitu in 1817. I insert it as a specimen of his 
hand-writing, although it is by no means so care¬ 
fully written as many of his letters, or his copy of 
the laws, &c. It will also serve as a specimen of 
the idiom of the language, as I have affixed a 
literal translation. (See the Engraving.) 
His policy as a ruler was deliberative and cau¬ 
tious, rather than prompt and decisive, and most 
