nation. In the course of our saltings and
picklings of pork, owing to the warmth of
the weather, a considerable quantity was
spoiled. I recommended its being immediately
thrown into the sea, but Duke, who
knew the propensities of the people better
than I did, and wished to ingratiate himself
among them, sent for some of his favourites,
and presented them with the damaged meat;
with which they marched off highly delighted,
and made a public feast of it in the eveningO.
The art of tattooing has been brought to
such perfection here, that whenever we have
seen a New Zealander whose skin is thus
ornamented, we have admired him. It is
looked upon as answering the same purposes
as clothes. When a chief throws off his mats,
he seems as proud of displaying the beautiful
ornaments figured on his skin, as a first rate
exquisite is in exhibiting himself in his last
fashionable attire. It is an essential part of
warlike preparations. The whole of this district
of Ko-ro-ra-di-ka was preparing for the
approaching war. Their canoes, muskets,
powder and balls, increased daily; and a very