stances of our reception and entertainment should be stated
to our own government. The Prince bowed to this in a
manner which seemed to express his satisfaction at what
was promised. Captain Maxwell next observed, that besides
the high public benefits of which he had ju st been speaking,
he felt individually greatly honoured and obliged by the
particular attention which had been shewn to himself, and
to the captain of the little ship, and hoped that the Prince
would accept from himself a small mark of his respect and
gratitude. As soon as this was interpreted to the Prince*
Captain Maxwell took from his neck a small thermometer*
set in silver, and presented it to the Prince, who leaned
his head forward, and requested that it might be hung round
his neck.
This may be supposed a curious place to hang a thermometer,
but we had learned during our intercourse with the
chiefs, that some management of this kind was necessary
whenever it was intended to offer them presents; for their
extreme delicacy made them unwilling to accept any thing
of value, lest it might appear in the light of remuneration
for their hospitality. Whenever any thing merely ornamental,
or of little value, was offered, and particularly if
worn about the person, no objection was made to receiving
it. I t thus became the practice, as being the most convenient
method, to tie the proposed gift by a ribbon round the
neck;. and; after a time, every one had rings, seals, watch-
keys, or bank tokens with holes drilled in them, prepared
for these occasions. The thermometer which was
given to the Prince had particularly attracted his notice
when he was on board.
After Captain Maxwell had given his present, the Prince
turned to me, andT put over his neck a cornelian ornament,
suspended by a ribbon, in the same manner as the thermometer.
He was greatly delighted with these compliments, and
immediately resuming Captain Maxwell’s hand, led him
along the whole length of the causeway to the boat, and
then stepped upon the top of the parapet to see us row
away.
As soon as we had put off, every one in the boats stood
up and gave three cheers; to which the Prince bowed
several times, with his hands closed and raised to his breast.
He remained on the parapet, and continued waving his fan
to us as we rowed down the harbour, as long as we could
see him. As the boats rowed in procession out of the
harbour, all the chiefs ran along to the end of the causeway,
where they continued, along with a vast crowd of
natives, waving their handkerchiefs and fans till, we were