The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-19
HAWAII AND CAPTAIN COOK.
RY.sIR JOIN povRNa, n. A.

the widowed Queen set loot, Tor the hrsI lline,
in Europe. The wild and almost naked Polyne-
sian tribe that on Captain Cooks first visit worH
shipped and then slew him, are now clothed and
In better mind: though no doubt much re-
MAINS TO be done TO hx and render fruitful the
plants of civilization and religion which seized
the soil so rapidly.
Already they yield us rs their blossom 'ady,
% who, without having ever before Quilted her
native shores, comes among us with all the
grsees Of cultivated taste and intellect added to
the beauty of her natural disposition. AHable,
yet truly dignifed, Queen Emma charms oil
those who approach her, ana Is the welcome
guest OF the noblest and most educated members
OF English society. The queen dowager Is still
young, under thirty; and her lady-ln-waitng,
whose commanding height and figure make her
look older than she is, is two or three years the
queens junior. Her only child died about three
years since, and she has been a widow about
year and hall.
1t was on the 18th January, 177s that q por
ton OF the Archipelago then named the sand
wich Islands, was first discovered by Captains
Cook, Clerke, and Gore, when traverslng the
South Pacific Ocean IN II. N. ships Resolution
and DiScoUeTy.
Out OF the Twelve islands three only appear on
that occasion to have been visited and the &C
count given by Cook of the drst land approached,
which he terms Atooi, conveys favorable I'M
preston OF the inhabitants. They crowded to
the shores, and with mingled curiosity and
astOnshment greeted the strangers; ultimately
putting off tor the ships In canoes, and ready to
commence an active tra1ic-willingly exchang-
nails and bits of irOn-aricles which they ap-
peared to value more than any others that were
offered for their acceptance.
Indeed it was evident that these people were
not wholly unfamiliar with the metal they so
highly priced, and they we're aware it was O
substance far better adapted to the purposes OF
cutting and boring than any their own country
produced, and they eagerly asked for IL by the
names toe (adze) and hamaite (knife). Beads
and other ornaments they returned as useless,
and appeared equally indifferent to looking
glass which was presented to them. But they
gladly accepted, though they did not know to
what purpose they were to be applied, articles
in earthenware, such as plates, cups, and
saueers, etc, and with these they returned to
the shore in order that they might examine
them at their leisure.
Although they at first manifested a thtevish
disposition, possibly under the impression that
they had right to everything they fancied
they abandoned this evil propensity when made
aware that their conduct was dsapproyed and
could not be persevered in with impunity; and
ii was afterwards observed with great satsfac-
tOn that in their commercial transactions,
either alongside the ships or on shore, the
natives never attempted to cheat, but rem
dered faithfully to the dealers the articles
agreed upon tor exchange. Animal food appears
to have been abundant. and the value attached
to iron something extraordinary, for it would
appear that several small pigs were given for
siXpenny nail.
The strangers were received with the greatest
Difference, and when Captain Cook, who landed
from armed boats, reached the shore, the con-
greeatod body of natives tell PROSTATE before
him (thus Offering similar tribute OF respect to
that which they rendered to their own chiefs),
and from this humble position they could only
be induced to rise by the most expressive and
encouraging signs. The captain was then pre-
sentod with q number Of small pigs, and with
plantain trees, much the same ceremonies being
observed as he had witnessed on like occasions
in other islands of the Pacific. When the offer
ing was made, long PRAYER was recited by one
individual, the rest OF the company joining in
the responses.
Cook readily accepted these gifts, and made
such return as was in his power, having brought
with him from the vessel various articles which
he Judged would be acceptable to the untutored
islanders. The triendliest relations being thus
established, and any timidity which might have
existed on the part of the aborignes having
vanished as they threw away the stones with
which they had originally armed themselves
they conducted Cook TO an ample supply OF eX-
cellent water, and willingly took part in such
service as was required by him, by assisting the
sailors in rolling the water casks to and fro,
They were a people of o nutbrown com
pleXion-robust and well made in figure; the
expression OF their countenances was pleasing
and open rather than strictly handsome, though
for the most part they were possessed of good
eyes, and tall, and had long, straight black
hair. Though not remarkable for grace of
form or expressiyeness of feature, they seemed
to be blest with kindly, frank, and cheerful dis
positions, and they manifested an innate good
Breeding, which raised them in the opinion Of
the navigators above the inhabitants OF the
neighboring Islands.
The dress Of the women differed but little
from that of the men, and consisted Of piece of
cloth wrapped about the body and reaching half
way down the thighs; the children were alto
gether unclothed. The ornaments they wore
were of stones, shells, bone, and polished wood.
Both sexes appeared to be expert swimmers,
leaving their canoes and diving beneath them
on the most trlfllng occasions, or joining their
friends, though at considerable distance. 1t
was very common to see women with infants at
the breast jump overheard when the surf ran 80
high that they could not land from the canoes,
and without endangering the lives of the little
ones, swim safely to shore.
The women managed their infants with great
affection, and the men lent their ready assistance
In these tender otfices-the happiness resulting
from these domestic ties and many other cir
cumstances, indicating a race far removed from
the ordinary savage.
From the observations he was enabled to make
during inland Journeys, and while proceeding
along the coast of Atooi, Captain Cook calcu'
lated that as many as sixty villages existed in
that island, and that the population, though in,
sufficient TO cultivate the whole OF the land was
tolsrably numerous-exceeding probably thirty
thousand souls.
The country on the northeaS. side was found
to rise gradually from the sea towards the foot
OF the mountains which occupy the centre OF
the island. Except about the villages, wood
appeared to be confined to she interiOr Near
the houses also were observed groves of plan
tain, sHgar canes, and ground cultivated for
root crops The tarO appeared to be extern
sively grown in the valleys, potatoes and canes
occupying the higher levels; they were planted
regularly in some determinatS ngure general )
square or obong, but destitute of enclosures
The great quantity and superior quality Of
these crops may probably be attributed quite
as much to the care bestowed on agricultural
pursuits as TO the natural fertility Of the soil
which seemed TO be unadapted to the bread
fruit and cocoa-nut, tue few trees that were
noticed not being in thriving condition Yet