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it in a house of his upon the beach, that he might come some time under cover of the night and secure it. Some of the Vavaoo warriors also proposed a plan, if the captain would lend them the use of the ship to kill Toobó Toa and his greatest fighting-men, in revenge for his murder of their lamented chief, the brave Toobó Nuha. The plan was for about two hundred of the choicest Vavaoo warriors to conceal themselves below on board the Favourite, and when she arrived at the Hapai Islands, Toobó Tóa and many other considerable chiefs and warriors were to be invited on board, and then, the boarding nettings being hauled up that none might escape, at a signal to be given, the Vavaoo people were to rush on deck and despatch them all with their clubs. To this, of course, the captain did not consent. Finow consigned to Mr Mariner's care a present for Mafi Habe, consisting of a bale of fine Vavaoo gnatoo, and five or six strings of handsome beads, and also his ofa tai-toogoo ("love unceasing.") His wife also sent her a present of three valuable Hamoa mats, with her ofa tai-toogoo.

The ship now prepared to take her departure from Vavaoo, and Mr Mariner to take leave of his

Vavaoo friends, probably for ever. The king again embraced him in the most affectionate manner, made him repeat his promises to return, if possible, to Tonga, and take him back to England, that he might learn to read books of history, study astronomy, and thus acquire a papalangi mind. As to the government of Vavaoo, he said it might be consigned to the care of his uncle, who would make a good king, for he was a brave man, a wise man, and withal a lover of peace. At this

parting, abundance of tears were shed on both sides, Finow returned to his canoe with a heavy heart, and Mr Mariner felt all the sweet bitterness of parting from much loved friends to visit his native country. He bade a long adieu to the brave and wise Finow Fiji-to the spirited and heroic Hala Api Api-natural characters which want of opportunity render scarce, or which are not observable amid the bustle and business of civilized life. The canoe returned to the beach-the ship got under weigh, and steered her course to the Hapai Islands, leaving Vavaoo and all her flourishing plantations lessening in the distance.

CHAPTER III

In taking leave of those with whom we have long resided, and whose ways and habits we have got accustomed to, whose virtues have gained our esteem, and whose kindnesses have won our affections ;-in leaving them and the scenes that surround them, never to return, the human heart feels a sad void, which no lapse of time, no occupations, no new friendships seem likely ever to fill up. All their good qualities rush upon the mind in new and lively colours, and all their faults appear amiable weaknesses essential to their character. When we lose a friend by death, we compare it, by way of consolation, to a long absence at a long distance; but it is equally just to reverse the comparison, and to say of a separation like this that it is as death, which at one cruel stroke deprives us of many friends!

Mr Mariner, as he looked towards Vavaoo, now fast declining in the horizon, experienced sentiments which he never before had felt to such a degree; his faithful memory presented a thousand little incidents in rapid succession, which he wondered he had never before sufficiently noticed. The late king, though lying in the fytoca of his ancestors, was now as much alive to him as his son, or

Finow Fiji, or Hala Api Api, or any other friend that he had just parted with. He recollected how often, at his request, he had laid down upon the same mat with him, in the evening, to talk about the king of England, and after a long conversation, when Finow supposed him to be asleep, he would lay his hand gently upon his forehead and say, 'Poor Papalangi! what a distance his country is off! Very likely his father and mother are now talking about him, and comforting themselves by saying, "Perhaps to-morrow a ship will arrive and bring our son back to us!" The next moment all the amiable qualifications of the present king presented themselves to his view; and as we have not yet drawn a character so well worthy to be noticed, we shall now attempt to display it in its true and native colours, trusting that it will afford a considerable share of pleasure to the generality of readers.

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Finow, the present king of Vavaoo, about twentyfive years of age, was in stature 5 feet 10 inches well proportioned, athletic, and graceful, his countenance displaying a beautiful expression of openness and sincerity. His features, taking them altogther, were not quite so strongly marked, nor was his forehead quite so high as those of his father, nevertheless they expressed an ample store of intellect; but notwithstanding the benevolent mildness and play of good humour in his countenance, his eye shot forth a penetrating look of inquiry from beneath a prominent brow that seemed to be the seat of intelligence. The lower part of his face was well made; his teeth were very white, and his lips seemed ever ready to express something good humoured or witty. His whole phy

siognomy, compared with that of his late father possessed less dignity, but more benevolence; less chief-like superiority, but more intellect. His whole exterior was calculated to win the esteem of the wise and good, while that of his father was well adapted to command the admiration of the multitude. The character of the father was associated with the sublime and powerful; that of the son with the beautiful and engaging. His language was strong, concise, and expressive, with a voice powerful, deep, and melodious. His eloquence fell short of effect compared with that of his father, but he did not possess the art of dissimulation. The speech which he made on coming into power struck all the matabooles with astonishment; they wondered to hear so much eloquence tempered with wisdom, so much modesty combined with firmness, proceed from the lips of so young a man; and they prophesied well of him,-that he would reign in the affections of his people, and have no conspiracies or civil disturbances to fear. His general deportment was engaging; his step firm, manly and graceful; he excelled in all athletic sports, racing, wrestling, boxing, and club-fighting; he was cool and courageous, but a lover of peace. He was fond of mirth and good humour-was a most graceful dancer, and passionately delighted with romantic scenery, poetry, and vocal concerts. These last had been set aside, in a great measure, during his father's warlike reign; but when the son came into power, he revived them, and had bands of professed singers at his house almost every night. He used to say that the song amused men's minds, and made them accord with each other, causing them to love their country, and to

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