New-York tribune., 1873-01-04
THE DEATH OF KAMEHAMEHA.

PARTICULARS OF THE EyENT-s0ME CHARAC-
TERIsTICs OF THE LATE KING-NATIvE FU-
NERAL CEREMONIES.
FRoa AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRfBUSEl
HONOLULU. S. l.. Dec 15.-The Sandwich Islands
in a state of political agitation at this time in
consequence of the death of King Kamehameha "
lie would not name a successor, which was his pre-
rogatlve according to the Constitution of the cOun-
try 1t is generally stated that he desired to be the
last of his line and the last of Hawaiian kings
This seems likely, as the choice of the Monarchists
of the country lies between an habitual drunkaTd
though q naturally able man, named Lunallo an
imbecile old woman, who would be the merest tool
of her advisers, named Keliikolani; and
an inferior chief, named David Kalakana
There is no other noble timber out
OF which royalty may be reconstructed
here. The native aristocracy is defunct; and If
American residents make the slightest manifestation
behalf of their political principles, we will have
republic or annexation right away. The late King
was named Lot Kapuiwa Kamehameha. and he was
the fifth Of the royal line founded by the conqueror
Kamehameha, who united all these islands under
one dominion. His late Majesty had received
superior English education and spoke our language
with perfect correctness and with the re-
fined tone of an accomplished gentleman
He was well versed in English literature
and sometimes indrlged in very apt Shakespearean
quotations. He was stout well-made and skillful
in athletic sports Like his great predecessor, Kane
hameha l. he was fond Of the sports OF the sea he
would skillfully manage a huge canoe alone, and
would dive to dangerous depths with the playful
ease and buoyancy of dolphin and when he arose
from the Deep shaking the brine from his curling
jetty locks, and revealing his magnificent dusky
form, he seemed indeed the Neptune of the Pacific
waters.
This King was thrifty man, and had accumu-
lated large means for these islands. He had sheep
run of 10000 acres upon Molokai upon which grazed
$4,000 head of sheep. HIS income was about 100000
per annum, and he held half million of Crown
and Government lands The quarter of these means
will amply sustain new and efficient republican
government. A great majority of the foreign popu-
lation desire TO set aside our paltry, expensive
though interesting royalty, and the only difficulty
will be to persuade the native population to acqu-
esce in the change The Kanakas or rather a
portion Of them, are now bowling over
their dead chief, although l must say that
less feeling has been shown at the death
of Kamahameha V than on the demise of any pre-
yious chief. Still there are enough to keep up the
barbarous saturnaia around the palace, which
amuses foreigners so much. This time the hideous
funerea fandango tabooed strictly to the foreign
population. strong guard inclosed the palace, and
tried to keep the heather satrnalia from critical
foreign eyes, but enterprise and strong curiosity
managed to outwit the valiant Kanaka guard
Within the Palace Court were to be seen
more than 1000 dark contortionists. min
strels, and professional walters, who made night
hideous 1t was a lovely moonlight, and the grace
full tamarind, algeroba, and mango trees made beau
tful silhouettes on the clear sky The crowds were
;,t ba A hundred
naked women gyrated with their supple, shining
bodies and swung in the air tatooted calabashes
that ratified with pebbles inside Another crowd
moved in mock fights. Some recited, not the ex
plots of war or peace but the lascyous prowess of
the late monarch. This is the especial burden of
the mnstrels-to laud the physical development and
cratic power of majesty.
Christianity with all its bene6cent influences In
these islands has been able to check the filthy
and riotous mysteries enacted over dead kings 1t Is
curious that such intelligent men as the Kane
hamehas really were should have consented to the
perpetuation of such abominable native snpersti-
tions. Karnehameha V. was an able man. and quail
fed to be a statesman in q much more important
sphere than this Archipelago He disdained his sit
uation, aud said that his country offered
no basis for the dignity OF royalty. He
had projected a tour i'll Europe, and intended
TO be present at the vienna E1posltioh' III ne ie-
covered from his late sickness. He was AZ years OF
age at his death, and was we'll formed, princely-
looking man. Lady Franklin said of him, that he
would be regarded as one of the most distinguished
of princes in any court of Europe He leaves no
family and not of his blood, except an imbeeile
old half sister to bewail his lOss He intended to be
a great king among Pacific islanders,and to re-people
his decaying country but Providence has left this
work 10 he done by men who shall represent new
order Of things.