They were all just come from the House of Lords, where they had taken Omai to hear the King make his speech from the Throne.6

For my part, I had been confined Up stairs for 3 Days – however, I was much better, and obtained leave to come down, though very much wrapt up, and quite a figure. But I did not chuse to appear till Mr Banks and Dr Solander were gone. I found Omai seated on the Great Chair, and my Brother next to him, and talking Otaheite as fast as possible. You cannot suppose how fluently and easily Jem speaks it. Mama and Susy were opposite. As soon as there was a cessation of talk, Jem Introduced me, and told him I was another sister. He rose, and made a very fine Bow. And then seated himself again. But when Jem went on, and told him that I was not well, he again directly rose, and muttering something of the Fire, in a very polite manner, without speech insisted upon my taking his seat, – and he would not be refused. He then drew his chair next to mine, and looking at me with an expression of pity, said ‘very well to morrow-morrow?’ – I imagine he meant I hope you will be very well in two or 3 morrows. – And when I shook my Head, he said ‘No? O very bad!’ –

When Mr Strange and Mr Hayes were Introduced to him, he paid his Compliments with great politeness to them, which he has found a method of doing without words.

As he had been to Court, he was very fine. He had on a suit of Manchester velvet, Lined with white satten, a Bag, lace Ruffles, and a very handsome sword which the King had given to him. He is tall and very well made. Much Darker than I expected to see him, but had a pleasing Countenance.

He makes remarkably good Bows – not for him, but for any body, however long under a Dancing Master’s care. Indeed he seems to shame Education, for his manners are so extremely graceful, and he is so polite, attentive, and easy, that you would have thought he came from some foreign Court. You will think that I speak in a high style; but I assure you there was but one opinion about him.

At Dinner I had the pleasure of sitting next to him, as my Cold kept me near the Fire. The moment he was helped, he presented his plate to me, which, when I declined, he had not the over shot politeness to offer all around, as I have seen some people do, but took it quietly Again. He Eat heartily, and committed not the slightest blunder at Table, niether did he do any thing awkwardly or ungainly. He found by the turn of the Conversation, and some wry faces, that a Joint of Beef was not roasted enough, and therefore when he was helped, he took great pains to assure mama that he liked it, and said two or three Times ‘very dood – very dood.’ It is very odd, but true, that he can pronounce the th, as in Thank you, and the W, as in well, and yet cannot say G, which he uses a d for.

He took a good deal of Notice of Dick, yet was not quite so well pleased with him as I had expected him to be.7

During Dinner, he called for some Drink. The man, not understanding what he would have, brought the Porter. We saw that he was wrong. However, Omai was too well bred to send it back. He took it in his Hand, and the man then brought him the small Beer; – he laughed, and said ‘Two!’ – however, he sent off the small Beer, as the worse of the two. Another Time, he called for port wine. And when the Bread was Handed, he took two Bits and laughed and said ‘one– two.’ –

He even observed my abstinence, which I think you would have laughed at, for he turned to me with some surprise, when Dinner was almost over, and said ‘No wine?’

Mr Hayes asked him, through Jem, how he liked the King and his speech. He had the politeness to try to answer in English, and to Mr Hayes – and said ‘very well, King George!’

After Dinner, mama gave the King for a Toast. He made a Bow, and said ‘Thank you, Madam,’ and then tost off King George!

He told Jem that he had an Engagement at 6 o’clock, to go with Dr Solander to see no less than 12 Ladies. – Jem translated this to us – he understands enough of English to find out when he is talked of, in general, and so he did now, and he laughed heartily, and began to Count, with his Fingers, in order to be understood – ‘1. 2. 3.