COMMUNION SERVICE. 41 from all passing before me on this occasion, I was led to the fervent prayer, that I might myself, at last, be equally worthy, with many of these, of a seat at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Mr. Stribling and myself spent the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Williams. This we almost invariably do; and never without being deeply impressed by hearing, in the stillness of the night, the melody of the native hymn falling on the ear, in various directions, from the little cottages of islanders, as they engage in their evening devotions. Family worship, consisting of the reading of a portion of scripture, of a hymn, and of prayer, is universally practiced, not only in Raiatea, but throughout the whole nation. LETTER VI. AUDIENCE WITH THE QUEEN OF TAHITI, AND VISIT OF THE CHIEFS ON BOARD SHIP. Island of Raiatea, On the evening of the 6th inst., the queen of Tahiti, the dowager her mother, an aunt holding the office of regent, with a train of inferior chieftains, and a suite of followers, said to be the most lawless company in the two groups, arrived in two small vessels from Tahaa; and on the succeeding morning, a visit of ceremony was paid to the party, by Captain VOL. II. 5 Finch, and a number of the officers of the Vin cennes. The reputation of the Tahitian chieftains is far from being unspotted. The regent and dowager are both excommunicated members of the church; and the young queen's character, according to common report, is not sans reproche. Their whole appearance, however, was most decorous; and surpassed, in respectability, every anticipation we had been led to entertain. The interview took place, in the apartment already described, in the residence of king Tamatoa-the only alteration consisting in new mats on all the sofas, and in the introduction of two armed chairs at the upper end, as seats of honor, for the young queen, Pomaré, and her aunt, the regent. We were introduced in the order of rank; and found the court to consist of Pomaré Vahine I., Ariipaea, regent, Tereomoèmoè queen dowagerboth daughters of the king of Raiatea, the governess of Huahine, also his daughter-with their husbands -king Tamatoa and his wife, the governor of Tahaa, and several inferior chieftains, with four or five children, male and female, descendants of Tamatoa. Indeed, he is the patriarch of the whole number, being either the father, grand-father, uncle, or grand-uncle, by blood or marriage, of every chief person present. They were all dressed in European costume, varying in the expensiveness of the materials; and more or less complete, in the articles constituting a full suit. Mr. Williams, at the request of Captain Finch, attended as interpreter, and gave a full exposition of SHREWDNESS OF THE REGENT. 43 the nature and object of the visit of the Vincennes. The regent presided, the young queen saying nothing except through her, and then only in monosyllables. She is still young--only seventeen-of good figure and agreeable face, especially when smiling or in conversation, when she is better looking than most females we have seen, since leaving the Washington Islands. While at Tahiti a complaint, well founded, as we ascertained, had been made to Captain Finch of the conduct of the queen and regent, in reference to some deserters from an American whale ship-natives of the Sandwich Islands, but regularly shipped members of the crew-which he thought necessary and desirable to bring forward. The subject evidently was not an agreeable one to the persons principally concerned; and we were quite amused, at the adroit manner in which the regent attempted to screen herself and the queen, from the censure to which she perceived they were exposed. The most wily diplomatist could scarce have exhibited more tact, in turning to good account an unfavorable aspect of things, or greater ingenuity in avoiding an unpleasant dilemma. After having placed the subject in a light, calculated to prevent a recurrence of similar conduct, the matter was pleasantly dismissed by the captain; and the official part of the audience closed, by an invitation to the whole company to visit the ship the next day. The conference being thus ended, the king of Raiatea and his queen, accompanied by the dowager and regent of Tahiti, retired to one of the inner 44 MEETING OF THE LANDHOLDERS apartments, and returned shortly after, laden with beautiful mats and native cloth which they placed, as a present, at the feet of the captain: the regent giving that which she bore in the name of the young queen. At the same time, the street door was thrown open, and the steward of the queen's household stepping in, with an oratorical attitude and loud voice, pointed to a large quantity of provisions-cocoanuts, bananas, taro, potatoes, &c., with several hogsplaced in full view; and enumerating the whole. in order, submitted them to the disposal of the captain, as a gift from his mistress to himself and officers. When about taking leave, we were informed that a regular monthly meeting of the secondary chiefs, or land-holders, for the discussion of topics of public importance, was then taking place in the chapel; and, that a messenger had arrived, inviting our attendance. This class of chiefs in Raiatea, consists of eight or ten individuals-tall and largely framed men, without an excess of corpulence; . and dignified and highly respectable in their appearance and whole deportment. They are the staunch friends and supporters of all the institutions of civilization and piety, and evidently the very bones and sinews of the land. After being seated among them, several of the number, in short but animated and appropriate speeches, expressed the great pleasure it gave them to see a ship from the government of the United States at their island, and the happiness they had experienced in learning the kind sentiments, and in observing the AND SPEECH OF UAEVA. 45 amiable and condescending deportment of Captain Finch-asking, in conclusion, any advice he might think proper to address to them. In return, he assured them of every kind feeling towards themselves and people-testified to the interest and satisfaction with which he regarded the improvements and advances in civilization they had made, and encouraged them to unwearied attention, both in themselves and in their children, to the means of knowledge with which they were favored; and to the enactment and enforcement of wholesome laws. On which Uaeva, one of the most distinguished of the number, made the following reply : "Chieftain and Friend, "This is my speech to you. Great has been the joy of our hearts since your arrival among us, because of the kindness of your object in this visit. We greatly rejoiced on the sabbath day, for your presence with us in worshipping the Lord: and in bringing your band of beautiful music to unite with us in praise. This made our hearts very glad. "You are now advising us, and strengthening us in our small and feeble government-you are encouraging us in the acquisition of letters, and in the formation of laws: this is good. Should any thing prevent the benefit of this encouragement in the affairs of our government, still may your great nation countenance and promote the work of God among us Gentiles; and patronize our teachers in doing their good work. "Health and salvation to yourself, chieftain, and to all the nobles and Christians of America!” |