The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-03-11

and g Italian Sights," - Art Hints," &c, &c. Boston and
Cambridge: james Monroe 4 Co. 1851
THIS is the title of a handsome duodecimo vol
ume, of two hundred and seventy-seven pages,
from the pen of our Sandwich Island historian,
which has Just been launched upon the sea Of
modern literature. The name of the book will
doubtless recall to the minds of some of our old
est residents a story which made its appearances
in the Polynesian seventeen years ago, while un-
der the editorship of Mr.. Jarves-conprising six
short chapters, published in as many successive
numbers of that paper. This new work, the title
of which we have given above, is, in fact, an en-
largement of the same story-but SO altered that
but for the names of the characterize would hardly
be recognized. The general plan of the tradition
is in many respects changed, and the brief legend
airy tale has been transformed into a complete and
interesting romance.
The character of Mr.. Jarves' writings is well
known beyond, as well as within the shores of the
Sandwich Islands. Pure in style, chaste and
often eloquent in diction, they are a. the same
time characterized by boldness and originality of
thought, and force of reasoning. His ability as
a writer is widely acknowledged. a number of
works from his active pen have achieved a de-
served popularity in the reading world, and we
doubt not that the volume before us will receive,
as it merits, an extensive circulation. In the
Sandwich Islands, especially, the story will be
universally read for we do not often have op-
portunities of meeting, %embalmed in so attractive
a form, legends of the palmy days of Hawaiian
savage life, and descriptions of the national Gus
toms and characteristics of " long ago"
The story of Kama is founded, So says the au-
thor in his preface, upon an old tradition which
he discovered in his researches for the materials
of his history-the date of which reaches back to
a period of two and a half centuries before the
discovery of the islands by Capt. Cook. A care
full examination into the merits of the tradition
convinced him of the fact that. during the reign
Of Kahoukapa, or Kiana, about eighteen genera
lions of kings previous to the reign of Kameha-
meha L., a vessel was wrecked upon the island of
Hawaii, and that a Spanish Catholic priest, a
woman and several men, escaping from the wreck,
landed and lived among the natives of the island.
acquired power and consideration from their SUI
pcrior knowledge, and were for a while even re-
garded as gods. Some of them intermarried with
the aborigines, and their blood still exists, or did
recently, among certain families, who pride them
selves greatly upon their foreign origin. This is
the tradition which suggested to the author the
idea of his romance of Kiana.
The story aims at a portrayal of the imaginary
history of these white strangers among the saw
ages of Hawaii and the wide scope of magma
ton which such a field lays open to the writer, is
turned to good advantage by Mr.. Jarves. He has
not, however, fallen into that mistake which is so
common among writers of fiction, of allowing his
judgment to be led astray by such a temptation
to exercise his powers of imagination-of suffer-
ing his g~alloping fancies to lead his heroes and
heroines through circumstances and positions
which not only shock probability, but outrage
possibility itself. Yet his tale, nevertheless,
abounds in incident of an interesting and some
times thrilling character. Hissketches are drawn
with an artistic hand, and the tints of his pictures
are warm, glowing and true to life. His descrip-
tons are faithful TO Nature, and his accounts of
the habits and mode of life of the Islanders of
charming narrative, are full of interest.
1t is impossible for an author to invariably
write in such a way as to suit all tastes. There
was never a book written that would not have
been better, in the opinion Of some readers, for
the omission of certain passages; and there are
ONE brief portions of Kama, devoted to the dis
cussion and analyzation of metaphysical ques-
tons, which, while they will prove a popular
feature with many readers, will be regarded as a
g bore" by others. The author says in this con-
nection that he has 50 spoken freely such views as
have been prompted by his experience and reAec-
tions," with the hope of giving utterance to some
I" ideas that, however plain to most thinkers, may
through him be the means of first reaching some
minds, or at least suggesting some thoughts that
shall leave them wiser and happier" We trust
that his hope will he fulfilled. AT all events this
feature of the work is not a prominent one, and
such passages-interesting or uninteresting, as
they will prove, according to the character of the
reader-are "not much to read, nor much to
skip" All readers will find the book highly en-
tertaining ard somewhat instructive.
We will not anticipate the enjoyment Of the
perusal of Kama" by an abstract or outline of
the story, but we cannot resist the temptation
of quoting two or three extracts, as illus
~trations of the work. We will begin with a de-
scription of a Hawaiian procession, returning in
state from the celebration of a great sacred festi-
val. 1t is as follows:
Z" First came a thousand men in regular files, armed
with swords of sharks teeth and slings. Each had a
laurel wreath on his head, and a tapa mantle of
bright red thrown loosely over his shoulders. This
corps led the way to the noise of rude drums and
other barbarous music. Behind them marched a
more numerous body in detached companies, armed
with javelins and spears, and a species of wooden
mace, which, dexterously used, becomes a formidable
weapon. In addition, each man carried a dagger of
the same material, from sixteen inches to two feet
long. All wore helmets Of wicker work, shaped like
the Grecian casque and covered with various colored
feathers. These helmets in connection with their
bright war cloaks. gave to the whole array a classical
look not unworthy of the heroic days of Greece. The
appearance of the men was martial, and their step
firm and regular.
In the center of their array there was a selected
corps of one hundred young chiefs, armed with still
better weapons. Their costume was also much richer
than that Of the common men. They wore scarlet
feather cloaks and helmets. Conspicuous amid them,
borne upon a litter hung about with crimson drapery,
sat Kama His helmet was surmounted by n grace
crest from which lightly foa.ed a plume taken
from the long and beautiful feathers of the tropic
bird. Both the helmet and his war cloak were made
Of brilliant yellow feathers, so small and delicate as
to appear like scales of gold. These two articles were