Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/427

Rh stood, so he looked upon them with more than wonder, almost mad with the numberless novelties which diverted his attention from one to the other. He danced about the streets examining everything to the best of his abilities. One of Tupia's first observations was the various dresses which he saw worn by different people; on his being told that in this place every different nation wore their own country dress, he desired to have his, on which South Sea cloth was sent for on board, and he clothed himself according to his taste. We were now able to get food for him similar to that of his own country, and he grew visibly better every day, so that I doubted not in the least of his perfect recovery, as our stay at this place was not likely to be very short.

Ever since our arrival at this place, Dr. Solander and I had applied to be introduced to the General, or Governor, on one of his Public or Council days; we had been put off by various foolish excuses, and at last were told plainly that as we could have no business with him, we could have no reason to desire that favour. This did not satisfy us, so I went myself to the Shabandar, who is also master of the ceremonies, in order to ask his reasons for refusing so trifling a request, but was surprised at being very politely received, and told that the very next day he would attend us, which he did, and we were introduced, and had the honour of conversing for a few minutes with his high mightiness, who was very polite to us.

Ever since our first arrival here we had been universally told of the extreme unwholesomeness of the place, which we, they said, should severely feel on account of the freshness and healthiness of our countenances. This threat, however, we did not much regard, thinking ourselves too well seasoned to variety of climates to fear any, and trusting more than all to an invariable temperance in everything, which we had as yet unalterably kept during our whole residence in the warm latitudes. Before the end of the month, however, we were made sensible of our mistake. Poor Tupia's broken constitution felt it first, and he grew