Polynesian., 1844-06-29

the groggeries, droves of hogs and piles of
filth. Numerous streams, and those not of
the most limpid hue, intersect the town; the
soil is rich, and when it rains, exceeding
ly muddy. Women in a state Of nudity,
are even to be seen, lying in the dirty
streams, playing in the water, and not unfre-
quently cracking their vulgar jokes with
white seamen, who are engaged in filling
water casks from the foul stream in which
they all promiscuously battle and wash. Such
is the force of habit, that it passes for moth
ing here. With such a spectacle before
him, none need complain if the swine follow
their example, first wallowing in the greasy
black earth, then LAYING their bodies in the
scarcely cleaner stream.
The Tahitian men are very well formed,
large and of lighter complexion than the Ha-
waiians. But they continue to wear to a
great extent their national costume, a piece
of gay cloth wrapt around the loins, after
the manner of the Hawaiian kihei, or petit
coat. This gives them a strangely efiemin-
ate appearance. The women are fair; some
indeed may be termed beautiful; clear olive
compilations, and smooth, we'll formed, and
rotund limbs. They dress better than the
men, and are much addicted to fnery. No
small spice of coquetry is in their DISPOSE
tons, and they are as gay as ever. But
there are a few exceptions; matrons who
appear staid and respectable; these pay good
attention to their families and the duties of
religion. On Sunday, the whole population
appear in colors and dresses, as brilliant
and v%ariegated as the flowers of their forests.
OF the latter, a species of iaponica, white,
and of the richest perfume, the women use
to a great extent in ornamenting their hair.
This they do with much taste, and the fra
GRANGE that attends these simple wrcaths,
makes their wearers welcome visitors.
The present queen is one of the finest
looking women of the island. Time and
troubles have reformed her, and she is now
much respected. Her husband was evident
ly selected for his beauty. They nave one
child, who is heir to the throne. Very little
refinement was observable among the chiefs;
they neither live or dress as those of Ha-
wall. In native intellect they may be upon
a par, but either from want of advantages,
or other unfortunate circumstances, in adj
vancement from their original barbarism.
they are far behind them. But the Queen
is "a kind soul. She called upon us immedi-
ately upon our arrival; questioned our lady
passengers closely upon the fashions, and
took one of them upon her knee, as if she
had been a mere child, which in fact she
was, in size, when compared with her Tahi-
tan Majesty. AT church she appeared with
her husband, dressed in the extreme of FASH
ion; lost indeed in the profusion of French
millinery which enveloped her royal person.
In the afternoon we returned her call. She
lives in the rear Of the town, in a wooden
house built for her by foreign mechanics.
1t seems our visit was somewhat inopportune.
She, with her royal spouse, were stretched
out in hammocks, under the %portico; they
had left to themselves the smallest quantity
of clothing, and all their fnery, from stock
ings to c~orsets, were hung upon lines in
front of the house. Upon espying us, the
servants scrambled in with these articles,
and the royal pair hurried after them and
speedily reappeared in more suitable cost
ume. Yrs, WANDERING TIM.
Hell hath no fury like a woman (sl CORN