The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-05-07

- Nt>ttEtI even Il lev IdN> OF llEul ana liltitA-
tions of real progress. Reformers are too apt,
when giving utJerance to their peculiar theories,
t. underrate the magnitude of the task of chang
ing q peoples ideas, habits. morals and religion.
They denounce a system because it has not
wrought here in one generation. what it has re-
quired thirty generations to do in other more
favored climes. As a general thing. those who
decry popular education, and seek to change or
hamper the working Of the most feasible sys-
tens, care the least for the real advancement
of the people. Defective and imperfect as the
public school system Of these islands may be, it
Is probably as good as the condition and means
of this people can afford or sustain, especially
when We take into view what they were one
short generation since.
OF the high schools or semInaries in this King
dom, that Of Lahainaluna is the most prominent,
and the one that promises the best results. The
annual examination of its students occurred last
week, and was attended by many natives and
foreigners. Among the former were about one
hundred Of its graduates, assembled from all the
islands of the group and comprising young men
of the class of 1862, to old grey headed men.
who graduated thirty years ago-and occupying
various positions Of usefulness or trust.
1t will be remembered that the seminary was
destroyed in July Of last year, and by the prompt
Hberaity Of the Government, was rebuilt and
ready for occupancy about the opening of
this year. The cost, including contributions
from foreigners and natives, has been between
eight and nine thousand dollars. The new
buildings are well designed, commodiouS and an
ornament to the place. During the past year
there have been 81 students in attendance,
fifteen of whom We're graduated May l, having
passed through Il four-years' instruction. The
number entered the last year was about 100, but
the destruction of the building and the conse-
quent dismissal of a portion of the students while
the new buildings were in course of erection,
partially broke up the freshman class, of which
a few failed to return. The popularity of the
institution may be inferred from the fact that
the applications for admission have during the
past two years been far in excess of the accommo-
dations, which are limited to about one hundred.
The examination, at which we had the pleasure
of being present, opened on Wednesday, April
%, ana continued during the next day, followed
by the exhibition on Friday. The seminary is
under the charge of Rev. J. F. pogue, assisted
by Mr.. Samuel Alexander and Mr.. L. Aholo.
various classes examined showed much eX-
pertness in their studies, both in Hawaiian and
The latter is taught as a permanent
branch, which all the students are required to
pursue, and as they thus receive four years in
struction, they do, when ~diligent, obtain a fair
knowledge of it, SO as TO enable them to read
and understand common newspaper articles. The
principal studies pursued can be best learned
from the programme of exercises
I. Geography. Q. Punctuation.
,. Hawaiian Constitution. 10. Optics.
j. Hawaiian History. II. Surveying and Navigation.
>. Enslsh Language. IS. English Language.
5. h h%sa." t & %@dsla History 10. Z. N S@GarSfi Philosophy.
The exercises on Friday consisted Of declama-
lions and singing In both English and Hawaiian.
large church of DR.. Baldwin was crowded
both below and in the galleries. Some of the
addresses were admirable, and well delivered.
1t was curious to observe the difference in the
delivery Of the two languages, even when spoken
the same speaker-the Hawaiian being full of
lie and animation, in which gestures are contin-
Ially resorted to to convey the ideas of the
pcakcr, while the English was comparatively
from gestures. The Hawaiians are natural
' graceful and eloquent orators, and are sell
.om at a loss for words. When addressing an
audience they appear to be perfectly at home,
nd display the utmost freedom and Guency.
was the case with nearly all the speakers on
occasion, and two of them in particular, in
he recital of a kanikau or lamcntation for the
ate Prince Of Hawaii. and the story of the burn
~ Of L.ahainaluua Seminary, kept their audi
nee completely unclaimed, and even moved 10
with their touching rathos.
Besides the principal foreign residents Of La
alma, We noticed Rev. DR.. Anderson, his wife