shore, they were placed on two cars, and drawn by about 80 native chiefs to the late room of audience, the tomb-house not being finished. Kaukiauli and the Princess Nahienaena were the chief mourners, supported by Lord Byron and the British consul. The numerous chiefs of the island, and the officers of the Blonde, formed an extensive funeral cavalcade. The frigate continued at Honoruru about six weeks, during which Lord Byron attended the meetings of the chiefs, who gravely deliberated respecting the succession of the young king and princess to the throne; – as, heretofore, might had constituted right. This important matter was, however, very amicably arranged, the heads of the nation, and all the chiefs, expressing their earnest desire to conform themselves strictly to the laws of legitimacy and of consanguinity.
The Blonde proceeded from Woahoo to visit the Isle of Owhyhee (about three days’ run), and refit there. She anchored in one of the finest bays in the world (now called Byron Bay) which Vancouver was deterred from entering by a coral rock appearing to impede the entrance, but which actually forms its principal security. It is a most safe position, and its rich and beautifully varied scenery, has obtained for it the appellation of “The Eden of the Sandwich Islands.” In the neighbourhood of this bay the island is in the highest state of fertility ; but the natives are in nearly the same state as they were when Captain Cook discovered them, in 1779. An American missionary had arrived there about six months before, whose instructions would no doubt advance them in civilization, as those of his brethren had the natives at Woahoo. The Blonde then returned to Woahoo, and Lord Byron took leave of he king, regent, and chiefs, and fulfilled the purpose of his visit to the islands, in the highest degree satisfactory to them, and beneficial to the country. The ship was literally laden with stock and provisions of every description, by the natives, who refused payment for any thing they could supply her. From Woahoo she proceeded to Karakokooa bay, where Captain Cook was unfortunately killed. Here Lord Byron erected a humble, simple monument to the memory of the great circumnavigator – not on the spot where he was killed, as that was found
