The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-10-15

Commercial advertiser.
S4TURD4Y. OCT. Is.

THERE is no Disgusting the fact that the re-
cent sudden deaths have caused a deep feeling OF
gloom in our community. Death IS at all times
an unwelcome visitor but the stern decree OF
the ALMIGHTY is, 80 Dust thou art, and unto dust
thou shalt RETURN This being then the imper-
alive law of creative wisdom, we have only to
expect its fullflment in our community, and
among us and our friends, as everywhere else.
Yet there is something mysterious about the
course of Providence. The young, the vigorous,
the active, those who seem to be the life and soul
of a community, are taken away the most fire.
q~uently. Right from the busy throng OF lfe'
from the happy domestic circle, from the count
ing-room and the store, death seizes the falrest
first, and leaves behind those who might be best
spared.
Mr.. John Ladd was one of our most esteemed
residents-and the respect in which he was held
in our community was shown by the closing OF
all the principal places of business at the hour OF
his funeral. At the tine of his death he was
not in active business-his industry and care
having enabled him to lay by a competence for
his family. But removed as he was from the
heat and asperities of active business, he had bet
ter opportunities to exhibit those qualities OF
heart which make a man useful and esteemed.
He was one of the most active and Jealous sup
porters of the Fort Street Church, where his
counsel and advice were sought and relied on,
and where his death will he severely felt both by
the pastor and his growing congregation.
Mr.. John H.. Sleeper, although comparatively
a stranger among us, was a young man of abil-
ity, talent and energy, esteemed by all who knew
him. Beyond the circle of his family and rela-
tives, we feel more deeply his death than any one
else. We saw in him those qualifications, the
exercise of which made him not only serviceable
in the department he had chosen, Of editing
a newspaper, but an ornament to society. The
frequent and cordial interchange of thoughts and
feelings on passing subjects, the confidence with
which we trusted in his superior judgment and
capability, the hopes that We had reposed in
him, all tended to attach and endear him to us
while the vacant seat which he has left at our
desk will long remind US of him. His death
quite humans us for the responsible duties and
labors expected from us. And We feel the blow
which has been dealt us all the more keenly in
that only a few weeks before, another young friend,
ii. F.. Poor, who had acted as our CONNER
cial assistant, and O frequent contributor to this
paper, had been called away. Both these young
men were gifted with more than ordinary abili-
ties, and their absence creates a vacancy that will
be long felt.
1t has been remarked that deaths have been
unusually frequent in Honolulu during the past
year. Can it be that the place is growing un-
healthy, or is our population increasing to such
an extent that these frequent deaths are but the
natural result of an increasing population
A gentleman in whose judgment we have great
faith, himself long a resident here, expresses the
opinion that with its increase of dwellings, trees
and shrubbery in town, the place is becoming
more unhealthy, and that the increase of shade
generates miasma and fevers. We will not attempt
to confirm or deny his position, but the subject is
well worth the study of those who have the facil-
tiles to investigate it. One thing is certain
sudden deaths are more frequent now than for
merly, and our diseases appear to be of a more
malignant type than heretofore.