Kai Ambau, but are not exactly slaves. About eight years before our arrival, dissensions arose between these two classes, which resulted in Tanoa's being expelled, and obliged to seek refuge in another part of his dominions.

According to Whippy, at the commencement of the present century, Bamivi ruled at Ambau; he was succeeded by his son Ulivou. At this time Verata was the principal city of the Feejees, and its chiefs held the rule: this city or town is about eight miles from Ambau, on Vitilevu; the islands of Ovolau, Goro, Ambatiki, Angau, and others were subject to it, as was also Rewa. The introduction of fire-arms brought about a great change of power; this happened in the year 1809. The brig Eliza was wrecked on the reef off Nairai, and had both guns and powder on board. Nairai was at this time a dependency of Ambau, and many of the crew, in order to preserve their lives, showed the natives the use of (to them) the new instrument. Among the crew was a Swede, called Charley Savage, who acted a very conspicuous part in the group for some few years. These men joined the Ambau people, instructed them in the use of the musket, and assisted them in their wars. The chief of Ambau was at that time Ulivou, who gladly availed himself of their services, granting them many privileges; among others, it is said that Charley Savage had a hundred wives! Taking advantage of all the means he now possessed to extend his own power and reduce that of Verata, he finally succeeded, either by fighting or intrigue, in cutting off all its dependencies, leaving the chief of Verata only his town to rule over.

In the early part of Ulivou's reign a conspiracy broke out against him, but he discovered it, and was able to expel the rebels from Ambau. They fled to Rewa, where they made some show of resistance; he however overcame them. They then took refuge on Goro, where he again sought them, pursued them to Somu-somu, and drove them thence. Their next step was to go to Lakemba, in order to collect a large fleet of canoes and riches, for the purpose of gaining allies on Vitilevu; but they were again pursued, and being met with at sea, were completely destroyed. This fully established Ulivou's authority, and the latter part of his reign was unmarked by any disturbances or rebellion against his rule. He died in 1829. Tanoa, his brother, the present king, was at this time at Lakemba, on one of the eastern islands, engaged, according to Whippy, in building a large canoe, which he named Ndranuivio, (the Via-leaf,) a large plant of the arum species. When the news reached him he immediately embarked for Ainbau, and on his arrival found all the chiefs disposed to make him king. It is said that he at first refused the dignity, lest "they should

make a fool of him;" but by promises and persuasion he was induced to accede. Preparations were accordingly made to install him. This ceremony is performed by the Levuka people, the original inhabitants. of Amvau, uniting with those of Kamba, inhabiting a town near Kamba Point, the most eastern point of Vitilevu, and about ten miles east of Ambau. As soon as the chiefs of Ambau have elected a king, they make a grand ava party, and the first cup is handed to the newly elected chief, who receives the title of Vunivalu. Some time after this, the Kamba and Levuka people are called in to make the installation, and confer the title of royalty. It is related, that while the preparations for this ceremony were going on, the chiefs of Ambau were restless, and determined to make war upon Rewa, a place always in rivalry, about fifteen miles distant from Ambau, to the south. Tanoa, however, was well disposed towards the people of this district, being a Vasu of Rewa. There are three kinds of Vasus, Vasu-togai, Vasu-levu, and Vasu. The first is the highest title, and is derived from the mother being queen of Ambau. Vasu-levu is where the mother is married to one of the great chiefs of Rewa, Somu-somu, or Muthuata, and the name of Vasu extends not only to the minor chiefs, but also down to the common people. It confers rights and privileges of great extent, and is exclusively derived from the mother being a high chief or wife of some of the reigning kings. It gives the person a right to seize upon and appropriate to his own use any thing belonging to an inhabitant of his mother's native place, and even the privilege of taking things from the sovereign himself, and this without resistance, dispute, or hesitation, however much prized or valuable the article may be. In the course of this narrative, some instances of the exercise of this power will be related. Tanoa therefore used all his efforts to prevent an outbreak, but without success, and he was compelled to carry on the war. He, however, secretly gave encouragement, and, it is said, even assistance, to the opposite party; this becoming known, produced much difficulty and discontent among the Ambau chiefs and people. Notwithstanding this, he at length contrived to bring about a truce, and invited many of the Rewa chiefs and people to visit him, whom he received with great distinction. This incensed his new subjects very much; and on his presenting to the late enemy his new and large canoe, Ndranuivio, their indignation was greatly increased, and caused some of them even to enter into a plot to murder him. Among the conspirators were the head chiefs, Seru Tanoa, Komaivunindavu, Mara and Dandau, of Ambau, Ngiondrakete, chief of Nikelo, and Masomalua, of Viwa. Tanoa, on being advised of this, took no

means to frustrate their plans openly, but appears to have been some what on his guard.

In the third year of his reign, whilst on a visit to Ovolau to attend to his plantation of yams, the rebellion broke out, of which he was soon advised, and fled to Goro, where his enemies followed him; but he continued his flight to Somu-somu, the people of which had been always his friends and supporters. Here he found protection, his defenders being too numerous for his enemies. The conspirators tried, however, to urge upon them the propriety of giving up their king, saying that they only desired he should return and reign over them; but the people of Somu-somu deemed this too shallow a pretence to be listened to. After Tanoa's expulsion, the rebels installed his brother Komainokarinakula as king. Tanoa remained under the protection of the chief of Somu-somu for three years, in gratitude for which he made over to him all the windward islands, viz.: Lakemba, Naiau, &c. During all this period, Tanoa was carrying on a sort of warfare against the rebels, with the aid of the natives of the eastern group and those of Rewa, who remained faithful to him, encouraging them all in his power, collecting his revenue from the former, which he distributed bountifully among his adherents, and buying over others to his interests.

As Tanoa was about to sail for Lakemba, word was brought to him, that his nephew, called Nona, residing on Naiau, a neighbouring island, had been bribed by the chiefs to put him to death. He therefore, on his way, stopped at Naiau, and when his nephew approached him under the guise of friendship, Tanoa at once caused him, with all his family and adherents, to be seized and put to death.

Tanoa, finding his strength increasing, concluded to prosecute the war with more activity. In order to do so, after having first collected all his means, he removed to Rewa, where he established himself, and began his secret intrigues to undermine and dissipate his enemies' forces. He was so successful in this, that in a short time he had gained over all their allies, as well as the towns on the main land or large island in the vicinity, and even many of the chiefs at Ambau. The latter object was effected through the influence of his son, Ratu Seru, who had been suffered to remain there during the whole war, although not without frequent attempts being made on his life, which he escaped from through his unceasing vigilance and that of his adherents. During the latter part of the time, he was constantly in communication with his father, who kept him well supplied with the articles in which the riches of the natives consist: these were liberally distri

buted among the Lasikaus, or fishermen, and gained the most of this class over to his interests. All things being arranged, on a certain day the signal was given, and most of the allies declared for Tanoa. Whilst the rebel chiefs were in consternation at this unexpected event, the Lasikaus rose and attacked them. A severe contest, ensued; but it is said the fishermen, having built a wall dividing their part of the town from that of the Ambau people, set fire to their opponents' quarter, and reduced it to ashes. The latter fled for refuge to the main land, across the shallow isthmus, but found themselves here opposed by the king with his army, who slaughtered all those who had escaped from Ambau. This done, Tanoa entered Ambau in triumph, and receiving the submission of all the neighbouring towns, resumed the government, after an absence of five years. This recovery of his kingdom took place in 1837. Being thus re-established, Tanoa, in order effectually to destroy his enemies, sent messages to the different towns, with presents, to induce the inhabitants of the places whither the rebels had fled to put them to death. In this he soon succeeded, and their former friends were thus made the instruments of their punishment. Tanoa having succeeded in establishing his rule, put a stop to all further slaughter; but all the principal chiefs who had opposed him, except Masomalua, of Viwa, had been slain. Tanoa's authority was now acknow.edged in all his former dominions; but this has not put an end to the petty wars. The three chief cities, Ambau, Rewa, and Naitasiri, are frequently at war, notwithstanding they are all three closely connected by alliances with each other. Here, in fact, is the great seat of power in the group, though it varies occasionally. These three places form, as it were, a triangle, the two former being on the north and south coasts, while that of Naitasiri is situated inland, on the Wailevu, or Peale's river. These disturbances most frequently occur between Ambau and Rewa. Tanoa takes no part in these contests, but when he thinks the belligerents have fought long enough, he sends the Rewa people word to "come and beg pardon," after the Feejee custom, which they invariably do, even though they may have been victorious.

Mr. Brackenridge, our horticulturist, was soon busily engaged in preparing the garden for our seeds. I had been anxious that this should be done as soon as possible, in order that we might have a chance of seeing it in a prosperous state before we left the island; and I feel much indebted to him for the zeal he manifested. About twenty natives were employed in putting up the fence, the chief having agreed with each of them to make two fathoms of it. Some were employed in clearing away the weeds, and others in bringing reeds and stakes down from the mountains. Mr. Brackenridge marked out the line for

the fence, but they could not be induced to follow it, or observe any regularity, each individual making his allotted part according to his own fancy; these separate portions were afterwards joined together, forming a zigzag work. The parts of the enclosure were tied together by a species of Dolichos, crossed, braced, and wattled like basketwork, the whole making a tight fence, which answered the purpose well enough.

The digging of the ground was performed with a long pointed pole, which they thrust into the ground with both hands, and by swinging on the upper end, they contrived to raise up large pieces of the soil, which was quite hard. After this, two sailors with spades smoothed it. The centre of the garden had been a repository for their dead, where many stones had once been placed, which had become scattered. These the natives were told to throw in a pile in the centre. They went on digging for some time, probably without an idea that any one had been buried there, but as they approached the pile they simultaneously came to a stop, and began to murmur among themselves, using the words mate mate. No inducement could persuade them to proceed, until it was explained to them by David Whippy, that there was no desire to dig in the direction of the grave, which was to be left sacred. With this intimation they seemed well satisfied, and went on digging merrily. A large quantity of seeds, of various kinds of vegetables and fruits, were planted. For the fencing and digging of the garden I gave, by agreement, a trade musket, and I believe this included the purchase of the ground!

The day after Tanoa's visit, I received from him a royal present of ten hogs, a quantity of yams, taro, fruit, &c.

Our stay at Ovolau continued for six weeks. Among the incidents which occurred during this time were the following.

On the 17th May, David Bateman died. He had been a marine on board the Porpoise, and had been transferred to the Vincennes at Tonga. A post mortem examination showed that the right lung was almost wholly destroyed by disease, and there was about a pint of purulent matter in the pleura.

On the 19th, Seru, the son of Tanoa, arrived from Ambau, for the purpose of visiting me. I immediately sent him and his suite an invitation to meet me at the observatory on the following day, with which he complied. Seru is extremely good-looking, being tall, well made, and athletic. He exhibits much intelligence both in his expression of countenance and manners. His features and figure resemble those of a European, and he is graceful and easy in his carriage. The instruments at the observatory excited his wonder and curiosity