was speedily gratified; for on the 17th of July, only three days after his arrival, the Earl of Sandwich, to whom Capt. Furneaux had introduced him, presented him at court. He had been previously taught how to address the King, in the most fashionable style; but, when ushered into the royal presence, he forgot his instructions, and accosted His Majesty in these words, "How do you do, King Tosh ?" The good natured monarch took him by the hand very familiarly, made several kind inquiries concerning him, particularly as to his health, and mode of living; and desired that he might be suitably provided for, and be inoculated for the small-pox. This last direction was the more necessary, as Aotourou, whom Bougainville brought to France from Otaheite, died of the smallpox at the Mauritius, when he was about to embark from thence for his native island.
The Earl of Sandwich and Mr. Banks took Omai under their special patronage, and introduced him to numbers of the nobility and gentry, not only in the metropolis, but in various parts of the country. He was fond of intercourse with the great, and shewed no inclination for low company, or mean habits. He assumed the dress of an English gentleman, wearing a reddish brown coat and small clothes, and a white vest, and having his hair clubbed behind. He handled his knife and fork properly at table, his manners were easy and polite, and he generally acquitted himself well on his introduction to persons of rank. At his first interview with Lord Sandwich, whose high station had been mentioned to him, he pointed to the butler, and said that he was "King of the bottles;" then turned to Capt. Furneaux, whom he called "King
