The being invested with the maro, and the presiding at human sacrifices, seem to be the peculiar characteristics of the sovereign.  To these, perhaps, may be added the blowing a conch-shell, which produces a very loud sound.  On hearing it, all his subjects are obliged to bring food of every sort to his royal residence, in proportion to their abilities.  On some other occasions, they carry their veneration for his very name to an extravagant and very destructive pitch.  For if, on his accession to the maro, any words in their language be found to have a resemblance to it in sound, they are changed for others; and if any man be bold enough not to comply, and continue to use those words, not only he, but all his relations, are immediately put to death.  The same severity is exercised toward those who shall presume to apply this sacred name to any animal.  And, agreeably to this custom of his countrymen, Omai used to express his indignation, that the English should give the names of prince or princess to their favourite horses or dogs.  But while death is the punishment for making free with the name of their sovereign, if abuse be only levelled at his government, the offender escapes with the forfeiture of lands and houses.

The king never enters the house of any of his subjects, but has, in every district where he visits, houses belonging to himself.  And if, at any time, he should be obliged by accident to deviate from this rule, the house thus honoured with his presence, and every part of its furniture, is burnt.  His subjects not only uncover to him, when present, down to the waist; but if he be at any particular place, a pole, having a piece of cloth tied to it, is set up somewhere near, to which they pay the same honours.  His brothers are also entitled to the first part of the ceremony; but the women only uncover to the females of the royal family.  In short, they seem even superstitious in their respect to him, and esteem his person little less than sacred.  And it is, perhaps, to these circumstances, that he owes the quiet possession of his dominions.  For even the people of Tiaraboo allow him the same honours as his right; though, at the same time, they look upon their own chief as more powerful; and say, that he would succeed to the government of the whole island, should the present reigning family become extinct.  This is the more likely, as Waheiadooa not only possesses Tiaraboo, but many districts of Opooreanoo.  His territories, therefore, are almost equal in extent to those of Otoo; and he has, besides, the advantage of a more populous and fertile part of the island.  His subjects, also, have given proofs of their superiority, by frequent victories over those of Otaheite-nooe, whom they affect to speak of as contemptible warriors, easily to be worsted, if at any time their chief should wish to put it to the test.