It is to be regretted, that we know little more of this government than the general out-line; for, of its subdivisions, classes, or orders of the constituent parts, how disposed, or in what manner connected, so as to form one body politic, we know but little. We, however, are sure that it is of the feudal kind; and, if we may judge from what we have seen, it has sufficient stability, and is by no means badly constructed. The _Eowas_ and _Whannos_ always eat with the king; indeed I do not know if any one is excluded from this privilege but the _Toutous_. For, as to the women they are out of the question, as they never eat with the men, let their rank be ever so much elevated. Notwithstanding this kind of kingly establishment, there was very little about Otoo’s person or court, by which a stranger could distinguish the king from the subject. I seldom saw him dressed in any thing but a common piece of cloth wrapped round his loins; so that he seemed to avoid all unnecessary pomp, and even to demean himself more than any other of the _Earees_. I have seen him work at a paddle, in coming to and going from the ship, in common with the other paddlers; and even when some of his _Toutous_ sat looking on. All have free access to him, and speak to him wherever they see him, without the least ceremony: such is the easy freedom which every individual of this happy isle enjoys. I have observed that the chiefs of these isles are more beloved, by the bulk of the people, than feared. May we not from hence conclude, that the government is mild and equitable? We have mentioned that Waheatoua of Tiabarou is related to Otoo. The same may be said of the chiefs of Eimeo, Tapamannoo, Huaheine, Ulietea, Otaha, and Bolabola; for they are all related to the royal family of Otaheite. It is a maxim with the _Earees_, and others of superior rank, never to intermarry with the _Toutous_, or others of inferior rank. Probably this custom is one great inducement to the establishment of these societies called _Eareeoies_. It is certain that these societies greatly prevent the increase of the superior classes of people, of which they are composed, and do not at all interfere with the inferiors or _Toutous_; for I never heard of one of these being an _Earreoy_. Nor did I ever hear that a _Toutou_ could rise in life above the rank in which he was born.