“The Queen dowager (Kaʻahumanu), the favourite of Tammeamah (Kamehameha), was stretched out on some very fine mats, and wrapped up in a beautiful piece of cloth of Lavalliere colour.”
“A young man, very well made, and remarkably clean, waved before her an elegant fan made of birds’ feathers; and a young woman brought to her at intervals, a small vase made of the calebash, as a spitting-dish; it was half filled with flowers, and covered with a handkerchief tied about it.”
“This vase was also offered to the other Princesses; but it was evident that all the care, and the greater part of the attentions were devoted to the favourite, whose name was Tammeamaroo (Kamamalu).”
“There were five of these Queens (wives of Liholiho); and she of whom I speak, who weighed at least thirty stone, was the smallest. The others were rather shapeless masses of flesh than human figures.”
“Their room was small, and crowded with calebashes, mats, little boxes from China, and with pieces of English and country cloths, all lying about in every corner.”
“The entrance was obstructed by a great crowd round the door, and there was a guard placed close by, to watch over the safety of the Princesses.”
“On enquiring what kind of amusements they had, and how they passed their time, we were informed that they were occupied in keeping death at a distance; which must be admitted to be rather difficult, considering the ability of the physician whom I have described to you. Happy are those who can do without him! and still happier those who require no other!”
“Our officious interpreter however having returned, we went with him to the King, who received us in the brilliant costume of which I have already spoken, but with such a stiff air, that we immediately supposed his limbs had been accustomed to greater freedom.”
“I sketched his portrait along with that of his wife, and included in the picture his principal officers, lying at his feet, and his two life-guards with birds-feather cloaks, who, with drawn swords, appeared ready to defend him.”
“We presented the Sovereigns with an Indian shawl, and a pair of handsome ear-rings; but we had the mortification to see that they received our presents with indifference, and without appearing to attach the slightest value to them.”
“Before we retired, our master of the ceremonies asked me to perform a few sleight-of-hand tricks in the presence of the court, and the King gave me a pack of French cards: I readily complied, and, novice as I am in this art, I was very much amused at the surprise of the officers, and particularly at the unmeaning look of the King.”
“His wife requested me in the most polite manner to teach her some of the tricks; I consented, and had the pleasure of seeing her practise some of them with great dexterity.”
“This young lady is the sister of her husband. In her manners she has something childish, soft, and even simple; which is, however, in her not unbecoming. The presence of the King puts no restraint on the demonstrations of her affection, or on her tender caresses. …”
“I would strongly recommend to strangers who go to Owhyhee, and wish to pass some agreeable moments there, to get acquainted with this interesting female.”
“Her name is Kaou-Onoe (Kekauʻōnohi): she is about five feet six inches high; her shoulders are broad, her bosom small, and her eyes amorous; her limbs are plump and well formed, and her hands and feet extremely delicate.”
“She is remarkably clean in her person. On her body are some round marks, caused by the burns she inflicted on herself on the death of her father; but I observed with pleasure that not a single tooth had been extracted.”
“King Riouriou (Liholiho) has four other wives (Kamāmalu, Kīnaʻu, Kekāuluohi and Pauahi); but it is very evident that he loves Kaou-Onoe the best of any of them. Things which appear most extraordinary in the eyes of Europeans are here quite natural; and we are often astonished or shocked at customs, which the Sandwich islanders regard as of no consequence.”
“For example, the present King has married one of his father’s widows, out of love, we were told, for the deceased. If Kaou-Onoe ever has a rival, I do not believe she will be one of the present Princesses; one of whom, however, is tolerably pretty and agreeable.”
“At our first visit, only Kaou-Onoe was in the King’s apartment. The other Princesses were in a neighbouring hut, into which they invited us; and where we witnessed a very interesting scene.”
“The favourite’s brother, who had just returned from Woahoo, came in, labouring under evident emotion. Kaou-Onoe, who had accompanied us, embraced him with the greatest affection …”
“… and while we were remarking the difference between her tender caresses and those of other female sovereigns, our attention was arrested by the sobs and groans of a multitude of women, squatted on their heels at the further end of the room.”
“For some moments a religious silence was preserved – the recollection of the virtues of the great Tammeamah was doubtless the occasion of their lamentations. A people cannot be wicked, who shed so many tears to the memory of a good Prince.”
“In embracing one another here, the people place their noses together and breathe strongly. If we may believe however what we heard, they began to understand the European mode of salutation.” (Arago; portions of Letter CXIII, August 1819)
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