The Polynesian., 1840-08-01

debt is viper. Like a roaring lion, so
is the debt of Hawaii. One may well
pity the common people on whose should
ers the payment is laid - those who
contracted the obligation cannot discharge
it. The burden of this folly has existed
from the time of Liholho till now. The
chiefs say to the people, "Collect wood
and pay the debt" The people 60 for
it, and the chiefs contract new debts
the sandal wood is exhausted - but the
debt remains. The chiefs then order
their sub jects to obtain silver, while at
the same time they prohibit them from
trading with ships to obtain it; they seek
for money the chiefs run anew into
debt; the money is almost exhausted ; the
debt is not appeased the property of the
chiefs is not devoted to its extinction
it rests on the common people.
Liholiho after year at Oahu in de-
bauchery, drinking spirits and contrac
ting debts, was taken sick. His physician
prohibited his use of spirits, assuring him
it was deadly thing destroying his Vi
tails. He therefore renowned it, and sail
ed to Kauai, and espoused the wife of
kaumualli and then returned to Oahu.
One of the missionaries, Mr.. Bingham,
endeayored to persuade him to change
his course, and obey God, that he might
be blessed in his kingdom, and that his
soul might live. He uttered the unhap-
lpy resolve, ''after pursuing my present
course five years, then | will become a
good man." God did not approve OF
this determination.
\ In the third year of LihoIho's residence
at Oahu, he made a splendid procession
in honor of his wives of whom there were
five, viz. - Kamamalu, Auhea, Kinau,
Pauah, and Kekauonohi. The car of
one of these, Pauahi, was set on fire to
show her power in the consumption of
property. This pageant is described by
a1tye witness in the following terms:
v"'rhe ceremonies of the last day. were altogether
Hapaiian in their character; and highly interesting
as an exhibition ofancen' customs, which it is prob
able, VIII soon be lost forever, IN the light OF the age
OF civilization and Christianity, now rapidly d.wnng
on the nation The most mtegen4 and influential
OF he chiefs and people, ae ldy speak of the slime
of dark hearts; and, believe, are sincerely dcsn Gus
OF 9bollshng every improbable practice. which hid
is birth in the ignorance Of former DAYS In this aboli
iion much, connected vi the late celebration, will
be included a tICt which gives IA double lne est TO
ITS scenes, and leads to catch at them, as at the
relics of paga nsm. There is much reason to believe
that taste tor these emOnies, among the chiefs,
Will be so Tar lost even before the pse of another
year that they will never be repeated and that the
notes, taken OF Them will prove to be a record of
the last striking features ofheathen usages, at the Is
! lands, on such occasions
kamamalu, on this day, was usua, n conspicuous
object. The of state, i'm which she Joined the pro-
cessions passing in different directions consisted of
an elegantly modelled, Chaie boat fastened firmly TO
pltorm of wicker work thirty feet long, by twelve
wide and borne on the heads of seventy men, The
boat lined, and the whole platform covered, first
patterns OF tapa native cloth, of variety of figures
and rich cOlors. The men supporting the whole were
formed into solid body so that the outer rows only
AT the sides and ends and all forming these,
wore the splendid scarlet and yellow feather cl,aks
| and helmets OF which YOU have read accounts and
thnn which, scarce any thing, appear more superb.
The only dress Of the queen IA scarlet silk pau
was seated in the middle of the boat, and screened
from the sun, by an immense Chinese umbrella Of
scarlet d1mlsk richly On'mentcd with gliding, fringe
and asses, and supported bv chief standing behind
her, IN scarlet marc girde, and feather helmet
On one quarter of the boat stood Kalanimoku, the
PRIME minister. and on the other Naihe, the
onal orator, both, also in of scarlet silk and
thered staff of state, thirty feet in height The
upper parts of these kahles of scarlet feathers
so ngeniousy and beautifully arranged, on artificial
branches attached to the staff, as to form cylinders
nteen or eighteen inches in diameter, and twelve
fourteen feet long the lower parts. or handles,
covered, with alternate rings of tortoise shell and ivory
OF me neatest workmanship, and highest polish.