The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-02-04
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSD4Y FEBRUARY 4.
funeral of the 9atf 1ina.

The funeral o~bsequies Of kAKEHAxEHA "
we're performed on Wednesday last, agreesoly y
public notice given. II was the recurrence of :
melancholy event, the closing Of a chapter IT
history, that occurs SO seldom. that we desire ro
place on record a more full account of it than il
it had been a mere holiday, even though in doing
50, we delay the issue of our paper a few hours.
For several days and evenings previous 10 the
funeral. the palace yards were filed with natives
with now and then a few foreigners as specta-
tors) engaged in reciting or singing neles or
lamentations composed for the deceased King.
The character of these songs can be judged from
what have appeared in the native paper, as some
Of them have been published They are mostly
IN praise of the deceased, accompanied with
songs referring 10 other deceased Chiefs, and
events in Hawaiian history. Frequently verses
in English are interspersed and sung. accompa-
MED by music on the hula drum, and in some in
stances with dancing. Some of these songs,
though accompanied with ancient forms, are
sung with such pathos, and embody such touch
ing incidents, as 70 frequently plunge the whole
assembly Of hearers into tears.
On Tuesday night, Chat preceding the funer-
ALL there was a crowd of FIVE or six thousand
NCA-~-NN4 eAOah@ EH-
palace. and the scene is represented as quite ex-
citing. At II O'Clock, midnight. Bishop Staley
read the Litany over the corpse in the throne
room. There were only a few present, perhaps
twelve or fifteen foreigners.
Wednesday, the day of the funeral, was warm
but pleasant. and the copious showers of the pre-
yious night had laid the dust. so that the condi-
ton Of the streets was unusually favorable for
parade. At six O'Clock. A NJ, the battery on
Punch-bowl, commenced firing guns every five
minutes, which was continued TIL the corpse
was deposited in the tomb.
At ~half-Iast 10 y. NJ, the line OF procession
commenced 10 move from the front OF the palace,
through King street. the artillery corps leading,
followed by the various schools of Honolulu.
This portion of the procession was in charge OF
Mr.. Lowe, acting as Marshal on the occasion.
The little juveniles stood bravely in the swelter-
ing sun, waiting the formation Of the main body
OF the procession, which commenced its march
about h~alf-past II o'clock.%
Following the schools came the various fire
COMPANIES, which turned out well, and never ap-
peared in better trim after which, were the
benevolent associations, including the Mechanics
Benefit Union, Odd Fellows and Masons, then
the Medical Faculty. The retinue of Konohikis
or overssers of the crowu-lands, which followed,
is a much larger body than is generally supposed.
The military which came next in order,
comprised the Honolulu Rifles. about 40 in
number, under command of Capt. j. II. Brown,
the Household Troops, about so, under Major
Moehonua, and the Zouave Guard, numbering
100. This last is & new company, made up
entirely of natives. The dress, consisting OF
white l~eggings, rich scarlet trousers. tucked up
at the knees, after the Zouave style. blue shirts.
and scarlet caps, made one Of the most striking ]
attractive uniforms that could be devised.
For comfort, and adaptedness to our climate,
nothing could be in better taste. Speaking of
uniforms. that of the artillery company, consist
ing Of blue, trimmed with white, was remarked
as very appropriate and tasteful.
AFollowing the servants of the late King,
the clergy Of the various denominations
but of the American clergy 1.-THE most numerous
here) We observed but one representative, and
understood that the reason of their non-appear-
ance was the sneering way in which they were
thought 70 be referred 70 in the programme.
cannot believe there was any intention 70
offend them. An occasion like a royal funeral
IS not the place to create or foster religious
by s~ectarian rivalry.
The hearse, bearing the remains of his late
was preceded by his favorite horse,
md Prince William, bearing bis sword and
rat. Four white horses, dressed in black.
rev the hearse, the cavalry forming IA guard
N each side. This company appeared very
veil. and numbered 62. Numerous kahihs
borne around the hearse as it moved along.
;ome Of them were very gaudy and lofty. We
,ounted "a large kahilis, and there were pro-
ably az many more smaller ones, OF all colors,
ed, yellow, blue, black, white and mixed.
they are emblems Of royalty, and were left at
he tomb, some deposited inside and others
utside OF the building.
The coffin, which was made BY Mr.. Fischer,
Fas a most elaborate piece of workmanship, of
oa and kou woods.AA heavy silver plate sur
ounded with scroll work, and surmounted with
crown, bears the following inscription
ALEXANDER, KALANI- EUA-LIHOLIHO,
oLANI-MAKA-oIoULI. KUNUIAKEA, KURAILIMoKU,
z y Aa3 G 4, n Saf NJ II M