Dseyes 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. 
eushion, 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 pith engrav- 
ings and paintings, and has often called at my 
house to look at the plates in an Encyclopeedia, 
frequently asking if I 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 18)7. 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 
