most of these plantations were fenced round.  Some spots, where plantations had been formerly, now produced nothing, lying fallow; and there were places that had never been touched, but lay in a state of nature, and yet even these were useful, in affording them timber, as they were generally covered with trees.  We met with several large uninhabited houses, which, we were told, belonged to the king.  There were many public and well-beaten roads, and abundance of foot-paths leading to every part of the island.  The roads being good, and the country level, travelling was very easy.  It is remarkable, that when we were on the most elevated parts, at least a hundred feet above the level of the sea, we often met with the same coral rock, which is found at the shore, projecting above the surface, and perforated and cut into all those inequalities which are usually seen in rocks that lie within the wash of the tide.  And yet these very spots, with hardly any soil upon them, were covered with luxuriant vegetation.  We were conducted to several little pools, and to some springs of water; but, in general, they were either stinking or brackish, though recommended to us by the natives as excellent.  The former were mostly inland, and the latter near the shore of the bay, and below high-water mark, so that tolerable water could be taken up from them, only when the tide was out.

When we returned from our walk, which was not till the dusk of the evening, our supper was ready.  It consisted of a baked hog, some fish, and yams, all excellently well cooked, after the method of these islands.  As there was nothing to amuse us after supper, we followed the custom of the country, and lay down to sleep, our beds being mats spread upon the floor, and cloth to cover us.  The king, who had made himself very happy with some wine and brandy which we had brought, slept in the same house, as well as several others of the natives.  Long before day-break, he and they all rose, and sat conversing by moon-light.  The conversation, as might well be guessed, turned wholly upon us; the king entertaining his company with an account of what he had seen, or remarked.  As soon as it was day, they dispersed, some one way, and some another; but it was not long before they all returned, and, with them, several more of their countrymen.

They now began to prepare a bowl of kava; and, leaving them so employed, I went to pay a visit to Toobou, Captain Furneaux’s friend, who had a house hard by, which, for size and neatness, was exceeded by few in the place.  As I had left the others, so I found here a company preparing a morning draught.  This chief made a present to me of a living hog, a baked one, a quantity of yams, and a large piece of cloth.  When I returned to the king, I found him, and his circle of attendants, drinking the second bowl of kava.  That being emptied, he told Omai, that he was going presently to perform a mourning ceremony, called Tooge, on account of a son who had been dead some time, and he desired us to accompany him.  We were glad of the opportunity, expecting to see somewhat new or curious.