The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-19


dyed, BY the inhabitants OF Atool in q superior
manner. Among the articles brought tor ex-
change were short cloaks and caps cha PED
like helmets made OF feathers fastened to
groundwork of net the designs executed in
red and yellow with an effect which led Cap
tain Cook to describe these articles as such as
"might he considered elegant, even in eoun-
tries where dress is more particularly at
tended to-" The mantles were those Of ceremony,
and the scarlet feathers were furnished by the
Dlumage Of a bird found in considerable mum
bers In the country, and supposed to be
species OF merops, of which the skins, dried,
but not otherwise prepared, were freely onered
for sale. With these adorpments the owners
were at first very reluctant to part unlcss In
exchange for muskets, but some mantles were
eventually purchased Tor very large nails. White
mats, some of considerable size, and orna-
mented with colored stripes and figures, we're
made there--theso probably formed OCCASION
ally a portion OF the dress-as they we're
thrown over the shoulders when offered Ter
sale, and these were of superior texture to
those used for household purposes, which we're
coarse and strong. Among their articles Of
handcraft might also be mentioned small fans
OF wicker-work, with handles tapering from
them OF the same material, or OF wood; these
were nicely wrought with cords of hair and
hbros OF the cocoa-nut intermixed. The great
variety OF fishing hooks were also very care.
fully executed; they we're met with in bone,
in wood pointed with bone, and IN pearlshell.
One was procured nine inches long, constructed
out Of single piece OF bone from large fish.
The elegance Of form and beauty of finish of
this implement could hardly have been eX-
ceeded by the productions Of skilled European
workman.
They cooked their vegetables by baking in
ovens formed Of heated stones; and from the
large provision prepared at the same time it
was supposed that q whole village messed
Ogether. Animal food seemed to be dressed in
the same way, as the few utensils seen could
hardly have been turned to the purposes OF
stewng or boiling. Their repasts we're eaten off
wooden trenches-the women, who were not
permitted to share with the men, partaking of
their food at the same time in contiguous spot.
Many games and amusements were popular,
but stor the most part they displayed the skill
rather than the strength Of the people. The
dances were usually accompanied by the sounds
of rude musical instruments, to which were
added the vocal performances of the women,
which produced tender and pleasing effect
Yet, notwithstanding the state of semi
civilization which he found, Captain Cook very
soon suspected that the levolting practices of
cannibalism and of human sacrifices we're not
uncommon in the Archipelago. In this opinion
he was confirmed by various circumstances
which occurred on board as well as by his OBJ
servations in the villages. In the interior,
and evidently connected with their worship,
he found spots where human oolRtlons had
been offered to the memory OF certain chiefs,
and in these places the taboo prevailed as in
other localities OF the Pacific. What appeared
to be piece Of human flesh wss on one occa-
sion observed in the hands of a native who
went on board. He showed some reluctance
to exhibit the contents Of his parcel; but being
to devour It. still more startling remark was
afterwards made by another individual, who, on
being requested to desist from an intrusive act,
asked whether the punishment of disobedience
would be the forfeiture of life, and that his flesh
should be eaten? A companion at the same time
intimated that such would certainly be the fate
of the Europeans, should any unhappy circum-
stance lead to an interruption of amlcable rela-
tions, and place the TWO parties In the position
of enemies.
The favorable situation of the Hawaiian Arehi-
pelago as refreshing place for ship. was not
unnoticed by Cook, who observes that had
these islands been known to previous navi-
gators, vessels which formerly traversed the
ocean with supplies of provisions and water
barely sufficient 10 preserve life, might here
have been secure of procuring such necessaries
as they might require and that, too, without
running the least risk of losing the voyage
the ports lying within the range of the easterly
trade winds.
Such is the account, but much abbreviated,
| given in Cooks voyages of the condition of
| the Hawaiian Islands, and of tho reception
which he and his companions received from
the inhabitants.
We will now turn to a History of the Archi
pelagon written by native students of the school
Of Lahainalula, and received by them from the
lips of some of the oldest aborigineS. From
these original writings some idea may be CLEANED
OF the state of the country and Of the impression
made on the native mind by the unexpected
appearance of the strangers.
We quote from the "hooolelo Hawaii" which
has been ably translated into French by N. Jules
Remy, who resided many years in the Islands,
and enjoyed during that time many opportu-
mites OF acquiring the language and studying
| the habits OF the people.
An opinion appears to prevail among the
| natives that the Archipelago occupies space
where formerly no land existed and this
| theory derives confirmation even from the
| fabulous tales of unenlightened ages, which
asc1ibe their parentage to Vakea and Sapa,
| and their rising above the waters as the re-
| suit Of q natural birth. The physical aspect
| Of the people is described by themselves as
| similar to that Of the population Of the neigh
| boring groups: and they are OF opinion that
| they spring from the same common stock as
| the natives of Tahiti, Nuuhiva, and other
| islands. On this subject also there is tradi-
| tion 'In the period Of profound Ignorance the
| Hawaiian said MEN came in the hrst instance
| to plant themselves here from the midst of the
air. Now, the falsity of this assertion is
| Captain Cook seems to have come to an erro-
| neOus conclusion in supposing that his ships
were the fist that had ever visited these shores;
''the elders relate that in former times several
/ vessels foundered in this Archipelago, and that
Others were seen in the distance in the open
| sea which did not come to anchorage"
| Although their historical narratives we're ira
| ditionally preserved, there can be little doubt
| that the leading circumstan ces OF the following
| recital are tTue:-
| During the reign of Kealiiokaloa, Chief OF
| Hawaii, vessel arrived. KGRaiiiOhd was her
name, and Kukanaloa the name of the stranger
| who commanded it. His sister was on board
| with him.
''As thsy steered towards the land, the ship
| struck at Pale dc Keel, and was torn. in pieces
| by the breakers The stranger and his sister
| reached the shCre by swimming and were
| saved. II is not well known, but it is probable,
that the greater part of the crew perished.
''The land gained, the pair prostrated them
| selves on the shore either because they eXpe
hnafN han fhnw Iara