Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-08-12
Miscellaneous.
From The y. Y. Evening Post.
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

t'tVfu1S = ~ Vtt tHt't OItNttV " VIC LtD-I
~tsidture by The king-No .ModcSty-The Luxury
of The Kings Chdmbey(din-lhaolula.
There arc many points of resemblance between
the Indians of New York, known as the "Six
Nations" and the lower order of natives of these
islands. The latter are Il much better people and
vastly more indolent--the result, doubtless, of their
geographical position and the comparative ease
with which they supply themselves with food and
the necessarics of life. Kalo, made into paste or
poi, and fish, of which the ncighborinr reefs and
numerous artificial ponds of the island produce an
abundance, are their principal, | had almost said
their only food but the indigenous fruits, ohia,
banana, cocoa-nut and bread-fruit, serve to make
up the variety. In q region where there is nothing
to mark the change of seasons, and where frosts
are unknown, q small amount of personal clothing
will suffice but it is exceedingly rare to find either
"Kanaka'' or "Wyhena," man or woman. badly
supplied. The former wear pnntaloons and shirts,
with q light linen or grass-cloth coat, and the latter
generally a thin muslin, silk or satin dress, made
with a yoke and to hang loosely about the person.
Occasionally you may see n native with a short
shirt and malo, sans culoHcs. On a gala-day white
muslin or silk is worn by all classes, and nothing
can exceed their neatness. The king and chiefs
dress in European style, and on, public occasions
they appear either in full military or in blue frock
coats and white vests and pantaloons, like our
army or navy uniform, and you will seldom, in So
ciety, meet men of better appearance. They arc
all pretty well educated, many of them speak the
English language with fuency and ~propriety, and
tiVy CIV ONNNSN'hS'g SA"NN'HA 49, NO'i'J Ns'
manners. The Queen, young Princess Victoria,
and high-chiefcsses wear muslin, pcnia or light
silks, made in the latest fashion, with a large dis
display of iewelry. The women on horseback pre-
sent a very striking and SNOWY appearance. They
ride like males astride the horse. with long "7thas"
or streamcrs of high colors-rcd, yellow or blue
crossed behind the person and brought down so as
to cover the leg and foot, and hanging so as nearly
to reach the ground. Sometimes this is surmounted
with a snowy poncho and neat Panama or fur hat,
with plumes.
On each Saturday afternoon scores of these peo-
pie may be seen on the plains about q mile below
Honolulu on horseback, riding backwards and for
wards with great r~apidity, in the highest possible
glee, with their gay tehas floating in the wind, the
whole presenting Il most animated and picturesque
scene.
Here, as among those of a different color and
higher civilization, the classes of society are strong
ly marked. The chiefs and their families are
readily distinguished, and seem, indeed, like a diff
fercnt race. All, however, are equally good
na.ured, and a more independent, happy, lack
adaisical people cannot be found under heaven.
have been much with them, and yet l have
never witnessed a street brawl or q fight, and a
native beggar cannot be found in the archipela-
go.
The government is very liberal, the prcrogative
of the king clearly defined. and the rights of the
mobiles and commons well understood. The largest
concessions made by the king to he people by the
new constitution, both of power and property, has
had a good effect in %elevating the character of the
people, and measures are in progress still more to
liberalize and Americanize the native population,
by the establishing OF English primary schools.
The House of Mobiles, consisting of the King,
chiefs and ministers, sumo twenty in all, is quite a
dignifed body, and embraces a good deal Of talent
and character. The Members OF the House of
Representatives are elected annually by the peo-
pie, and the electors seem to understand and dis
charge their duties us frccmcn with great good sense
and discretion.
The number of members at present is twonty-six,
about one-third of whom are Americans, ard the
assembly, as a whole will compare favorabiy with
any State Legislature. These two bodies were
opened by a speech from the King on the Sth ult.,
and are yet in session. Members address either
House in English or Hawaiian, and amongst the
native members especially there is a great fancy
for speaking. Many Of their speeches evince tact,
discrimination and ability, and you will rarely find
more graceful off-hand, ready debaters anywhere.
Should these islands become a part of the terri
tory of the United States of America, not the
slightest apprehension need be entertained hut that
they will be as conservative, as loyal and as well
governed as any State of our glorious Union; and
| would as soon trust my life, liberty or property
in their keeping as with the best government OF
our old States.
While there is much to commend and admire in
the Hawaiian character, there is also much to con,
denim and deplorc. There is no such thing as in
nate modesty, and it is said that their language
contains no WOfu expressive OF female purity OIL
virtue. l do not believe them susceptible of the
hiqheSt intellectual or moral culture, and | have
thus far met with no one distinguished for brilliant
intellect or extraordinary cultivation. Neither will
YOU meet with either a Brutus or Il Cassius. But
YOU will find Il fair-minded, honest race, emerging
from the thraldom of barbarism, and who at this
early period will compare favOrably with the great
mass of our population in the United States us
yet IL happy, unambitious and contentcd people.
All lands are allodial, and any person can pur.
chase and hold property without taking the oath Of
allegiance. The Kingand many of the chiefs have
large landed estates, and some of them beautiful
town residences. In Honolulu, especially, theiI
dwellings are large, tasteful and we'll adapted t.
the climate.
One chief, "Paki," the Kings chamberlain, ha
1 large and elegant coral stone house, planred an,
constructed under his own supervision, which woul
do credit to any cultivated European. With spleu
did rosewood furniture, Brussels carpets, an elabc
rately finished piano-forte, this native chief lives i
luxury, surrounded by a hundred retainers and b
is at last six feet four inches in height, and weigh
near three hundred pounds. His daughter a YER
pretty woman, plays and sings charmingly, cult
Yates flowers, speaks English and French witt
t1uency and grace, dresses after the most approves
Partisan fashions, and AGs aesey been off lie island
Honolulu is a thrifty and pleasant town, anC
contains an intelligent and agreeable foreign soci
city, not unlike what may be met with IN the bes
country villages of New England or New York
The whole population is about ten thousand, which
is probably increased during the shipping season
TO thirteen or fourteen thonsand. The small pc,
diminished the population full one-tenth on tho
whole group, and to a much larger extent on thi
island of Oahu, and especially in the metropolitan
town of Nonoluiu. The harbor is one of the safes
and best in the Pacific, and With the Improvement
which are proposed, will be easy Of access for til,
largest class vessels. At present, a ship DRAWN,
aNenty-two feet of water cannot safely enter tn
harbor- AT this present writing, MAY 290 Their
are bat six vessels in port: the russian frieat
whale ships, the ship Lady Pierce, belonging to NJ,
S. E. Burrows. of Russian memory, wlo is on hi
way to Yeddo, Japan. and the Flying DAFT, boun
to San Francisco. The shipping season arope
commences early in October, and lasts till abo,