The mode of cooking was precisely that of Otaheite, by heated stones in a hole made in the ground.

At young Christian's, the table was spread with plates, knives and forks.

John Buffet said grace in an emphatic manner, and this is repeated every time a fresh guest sits down while the meal is going on.

So strict are they in this respect, that it is not deemed proper to touch a bit of bread without saying grace before and after it.

'On one occasion,' says Captain Beechey, 'I had engaged Adams in conversation, and he incautiously took the first mouthful without having said grace; but before he had swallowed it, he recollected himself, and feeling as if he had committed a crime, immediately put away what he had in his mouth, and commenced his prayer.' Their rooms and table are lighted up by torches made of _doodoe_ nuts _( Aleurites triloba_), strung upon the fibres of a palm-leaf, which form a good substitute for candles.
It is remarkable enough, that although the female part of the society is highly respected, yet, in one instance, a distinction is kept up, which in civilized countries would be deemed degrading.