The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-12-23
d pleasure to the day."
CHAPTER II
The day went down and the darkness
Fell from the wings of the night"

Dec. 12.-Citizens passed q quiet night and male
factors remained in their rooms. l think we may
look upon the 11th as q success, as it was really a
very pleasant day. The morning came with showers
which cooled the earth. By 10 A. NJ. the sun was
sun was shining brightly whilst a pleasant breeze
came in from the sea tempering the atmo sphere
to a nicely. Every one looked pleasant and in good
humor, and everybody was on hand. At
the first gun gracefully tired by Sir Thomas Spen-
Ger, Kt., away went five double canoes and got
along without any hitch or misbap and were anx-
iously watched by many hundreds of spectators.
The winner made the distance in 10 minutes, End
canoe almost even and 3rd close belinda beauti-
fdl race splendidly contested.
Then came to the scratch, StE 1hdle boats, and
they also got of capitally, and the winner passed the
line in 20 minutes, but there occurred an amicable
dispute as to the right of pushing, which the direct
ors soon settled by ordering the race over again,
which satisfied everybody, and the second race was
as good as the first.
Next came up screen single canoes with some brave
old veterans girded in the loins and plucky to the
back bone. This race was padded in 10 minutes,
and the last man as he came in made a graceful bow
to the populace on shore, showing that his pride
wasn't a bit hurt.
Four shore boats followed the canoes, but with
very unequal results. At one period of the race
there seemed to be a fdur pas somewhere. but the
black boat won in a canter, Notwithstanding MIR.
William Ragsdale's presence in the stern sheets of
a green clipper which came in last. 1t is supposed
that Mr.. Ragsdale misunderstood the conditions of
the race and got the idea somehow that the last boat
in took the laurel. 1t is easy to see how in such a
case Mr.. Ragsdale's characteristic intelligence and
legal attainments and resources must have triumphe
land this may explain the slight hihiG which oc-
CURED at too great q distance for correct observation.
We all feel sorry for him.
The foot races along the .Esplanade showed more
energy than training, and were scarcely up to the
mark. A scrub of some kind was talked of, but
when the eagles retired nothing was left for the
crows and claws to pick at.
A patriotic address by the irrepressible g William -
haun xy4n-I 49, a. lA
grew upon him, the divine afiatus of his brain
proved too much for his tender sensibilities, and in
the ardor of his soul he 9 went , for his nearest
personal friend and spent six dollars worth of re-
served force in a very charming manner. Consider
ing the late Palmerising he has undergone, and
borne, l must say like q saint, his moderation looked
very like martyrdom.
The nobility and gentry were represented at the
days sports, and the patrons and directors deserve
all praise for the excellence of their arrangements
and the quiet yet lively order which reigned all day.
We observed Sir Thomas Spencer, K. X,
His Elk. Lieutenant Governor Lyman,-Hon. D. FL.
Hitchcock, Justice of the Peace and Mr.. Sheriff
Severance, besides some ex-legislators and a sprink-
ling OF the clergy. And, but for the honest obliu-
ulty OF vision which perverts the best intentions of
the road department, many visitors from other
apanas might have been here, but it happens that
improvements are underway, which means that they
are making the approaches to Hilo as impracticable
as possible. However, it is said to be a long road
that has no turning.
l must give you the compliments of the season
before closing a letter already too long. Christmas
Is close upon us, but what sympathies with that
season with its precious souvenirs have
the tropics! The charm is utterly broken with q
thermometer at 80 . , and to indulge in long retro
spects only makes one bomesick. The delightful
family unions, skates and sleds, and snow-balls,-
mince pies and misletoe,-yule logs and country
dances, odorifrous turkeys, ~festooned with precious
chains of epping and the glorious sirloin, king of
the fable Think of your bedroom windows frosted
panes, what time the cruel morning turns you out
from cosy blankets, and the crunching snow glitter
ing in the moonlight as you trot home with some fair
whose little hand thrilled nerves that
tremble yet pine apples and bananas are but a
sickly recompense for all this, and I'll back-the
and ribstone pippin against all the boosted
of Cancer and of Capricorn
Bnt this is sentimental, so wishing you all that is
usual, and peace with organs. 1 stop.
Yours truly,