Captain Ommanney, soon after his arrival in England, brought young
Kallihirua to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. At that
time he could only speak a few words, such as "Ship," "Sea," "Very
sick;" "England, things very nice," "Captain very good". From his
language and gesture it was gathered, that he had suffered much from
sea-sickness on the voyage; that he had been treated with the utmost
care and kindness on board, and that he was highly pleased with
English fare, and with the reception which he had met with in this
country.
His manners were so gentle, and even polite, without any seeming
effort, as to excite astonishment in those who knew how short a time
he had enjoyed the advantages of education. It was clear that great
pains had been taken with him on board the "Assistance," where his
great study had been to adapt himself to the habits and manners of
those among whom his lot was so singularly cast. "In this," says
Captain Ommanney, "he succeeded; for people were surprised at his good
address, when he reached England."