emonious kind of refusal which expects a second
invitation. In like manner at taking leave we were never troubled with
solicitations to prolong our visit, but went without ceremony except
making use of a farewell expression at parting. Another advantage, seldom
found in warm countries, was, in this part of Otaheite being free from
mosquitoes, though at particular times of the year the inhabitants are
pestered with great numbers of flies.

Moannah continued our constant friend at the tent and with Tinah and all
his friends dined with me every day.

The ship's barber had brought with him from London a painted head such as
the hair-dressers have in their shops to show the different fashions of
dressing hair; and it being made with regular features and well-coloured,
I desired him to dress it, which he did with much neatness, and with a
stick and a quantity of cloth he formed a body. It was then reported to
the natives that we had an Englishwoman on board and the quarter-deck was
cleared of the crowd that she might make her appearance. Being handed up
the ladder and carried to the after-part of the deck there was a general
shout of "Huaheine no Brittane myty." Huaheine signifies woman and myty
good. Many of them thought it was living and asked if it was my wife. One
old woman ran with presents of cloth and breadfruit and laid them at her
feet; at last they found out the cheat; but continued all delighted with
it, except the old lady who felt herself mortified and took back her
presents for which she was laughed at exceedingly. Tinah and all the
chiefs enjoyed the joke and, after making many enquiries about the
British women, they strictly enjoined me when I came again to bring a
ship full of them.

Some very fine sugarcane was brought to me; each of the pieces was six
inches round. I had before told Tinah that our sugar was made of it and
he was very desirous to discover the means; for they were so fond of our
loaf sugar that a present to any chief would have been incomplete without
a piece of it. Another article in great estimation and likewise expected
to make part of a present was scissors, which they made use of to keep
their beards in order.

By this time Nelson had, with assistance from the ship, completed a large
garden near the tents in which were sown seeds of different kinds that we
had collected at the Cape of Good Hope. I likewise distributed
fruit-stones and almonds for planting among the chiefs, who I hope