The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-10-30

flies into Dreamani-alights a strange cty-neets
stranger who proves be friend-earns year
1860, the city Honoulu-accompanies the stranger
through townyisits residences lost in his dream
finds himself on a raway-ysts the city of Helopos
(Ewa(-descrpon oit-unfortunately of up before
narrative is concluded.
Tired and perplexed with the labors Of dull,
nOtonous life, went home before the usual hsur Of
dinner, and lighting choice Havana from box
which had just opened, stretched myself
easy lounge on my back verandah, and soon, partly
perhaps, under the influence of the narcotic, was
launched into dreamland. This dreaming is one of
the pleasantest faculties of the human SOUL when not
debased by abuse of nature To return in visions
and revisit the forgotten of ones childhood
to fly into the regions of flturity and view what is
revealed only to the eye Of Omniscience are among
the few immateria joys allotted to mortals. I will
not say what truth there may be in the revere into
which my mind ran, but will narrate it in such
way as may interest the reader.
dreamed myself wandering in large and popu-
lous city where every thing had strangeness that
bewildered me- and yet there indefnable some
thing that told me had seen this place before But
the strange language spoken the novel costume Of the
people, and above all the busy hum and whirl On
every side perplexed me. landed on large stone
quay, (from whence l came / know not) and before
and all around were lofty buildings of stone and
brick, while glance at the harbor showed it teeming
with life-ships, boats and steamers plying in every
direction, and darting it like magic. I had
walked short distance from the quay, meeting many
all strangers, till to the steps of noble build
ing, with glass and marble 'front.' the door of which
stood man, who appeared to recognize me- and
whom, as I though, had seen before. But when he
accosted me in unintelligble iargon, concluded
him to be a stranger. I replied to him however in
English, and asked him his name and where was
Finding me speak in English he answered me in the
same, and though entire strangers to each other,
soon found upon conversation that he was descend
ant, four generations distant familiar acquaint-
of mine and that fact disneed all Sfranoenpss
He invited me into the building, which found to be
the Office of an extensive marine and life assurance
company, in which he secretary. 1 then en-
quired the name of the place where was.
This,' said he, is the city of Honolulu, where
my ancestors have lived and died for D hundred
years.
Honolulu! shouted with surprise, and involunta-
r from my seat and rushed to the porch to see
If POSSIBLE could be mistaken. My friend rose with
me and seeing my surprise, took his hat to accompany
me out. Bewidered as l was before, I was now
doubly so. This Honolulu When and how ex-
claimed What year can this be?
This is the year 1860, according to the Christian
era, according to our Chinese reckoning the year
$685.
All, sir, have mistaken the place but tell me
when and how this city built
My companion, who now no longer appeared a
stranger to me, of refinement and educa-
ton. In all his conversation and actions he was
ceedingly polite, and seemed to anticipate all my
wishes. He did not seem to be pure American or
European but his complexion was handsome bronze,
with shining black hair and extremely pleasing fea-
lures. Leaving the building we walked ON together
through of the main Streets which were very wide
and each side high and solid stone buildings,
apparently re-proof, and of beautiful architectural
designs.
The singular costume of the people attracted my
attention Their dress appeared to be borrowed from
the Chinese, indeed their general complexion and
features told that large Chinese element existed
here. The men were dressed in loose flowing pants
and kind of shirt overdress, very similar the
higher class of the Chinese And the only difference
between the classes that we was in the texture
Of the dress The laborers wore q common fabric
while the wealther were clothed with the costler
articles The ladies' moreover were dressed after the
manner of the Chinese and similar the men. having
loose pats and over-dress, ON which latter was
stead OF wearing bonnets or hats the better class of
ladies had their black hair eircled with white wreahs
and In promenading each lady vas accompanied bv
servant with a monstrOus umbrella But the dress
and hats of the children appeared the most singular
They dressed entirely different from the men or
women, and wore merely an elegant coisred shirt
trimmed with laees ringes and perfectly fat hat
without any crown, hung around with tassels. But
to return to my companion.
The present site of Honolulu was selected said
he, IN reply to my question, as we walked up the
street. about loo years ago. The streets were for
merly very narrow and crooked and remained so till
the great confagration in the year 1892 when 200
houses, or nearlyt he entire town. destroyed The
Streets on the unanimous petition Of the citizens were
then LAID out entirely and broad and the large
park winch you there (sad to have been formerly
garden OF the old dynasty) was much enlarged and
beautlhsd Indeed the entire town was resuryeved
and rebuilt Some twenty-five years later. in the
year 1904, another extensive conagration occurred
here, which destroyed the lower part of the citv in
Guiding the spot where my insurance building now
stands The fire extended to the wharves and shin
ping, and destroyed some sixty-seven vessels then
tyng IN she port It was at that time that our stone