The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-10-18
Decrease of Population Forty Years Ago

We have recently perused a copy OF DR.. Rusch-
enbefger's Voyage Round the World in 1885
3G-37, while attached TO the United States frigate
Peacock. The ship spent some time at these ISL
ands during 1896, and the Doctor made ample
notes Of his observations during his stay. from
which we propose TO quote from time 10 time. To-
day we give several extracts from his remarks on
the decrease of population, which will be read
with interest after the lapse of nearly forty years
since they were penned. He begins by the state
rAent that the total population of the group in
1892, was set down at l29,Sl1 in 1886, at los, 1898
"a decrease in four years of 2l.42l. This period
covered the noted times Of &" Kaomi,' proverbial
among the natives as the time when, King Kaui-
keauli having lapsed from the former stand for
temperance which he had taken, rum-making and
drinking, with attendant crime and misery ran riot
for an entire year. We quote from DR.. Ruschen-
berger:
IF these data be correct, and we have every
reason TO believe they are. and no means be taken
TO arrest this alarming decrease, it is clear, the
Sandwich Islands, in the course of time, must be
entirely depopulated, though centuries may elapse
before the last man OF the nation expires.
1t is clear, that this decrease is not owing to any
one cause, and may, therefore, be attributed, with
more propriety. TO the joint effects of several causes.
Infanticide. intemperance, bad living, change in
nONAAA AFAA AA1 eAhNS VI oAAAA~NS HBAN@sAb bhAAs
perhaps, we may ado, civilization for it has been
remarked that savage tribes fall before the march
Of Improvement. IN spite of every caution in feed
ing and lodging. Every one of these causes must
operate upon the physical condition., and conse-
quently affect production.
But. to return from this depression to the con-
sideration of other causes of decrease of the popu-
lation IntempeTance in diet and the abusive use
Of ardent spirits. which is their first acquisition
from intercourse with christian strangers, affecting
as it does. very considerably, both production and
duration, by inducing premature exhaustion of the
vital forces, and consequently a host of active dis
eases. must powerfully oppose the increase of pop
ulation. The fact is so well known, that it requires
neither proof nor illustration.
A change has taken place in certain customs.
which must have Influenced the physical develop
ment Of the islanders. / allude TO the variety of
athletic exercises, such as swimming, with or with
ont the surf-board. dancing, wrestling. throwing
the javalin. &c. all of which games. being in op-
position to the severe tenets OF Calvinism. have
been suppressed, without the substitution OF other
pursuits. 10 I'll up the time. Whether sinful or not,
viii depend upon the religious code by which they
are measured. But let this be as il may, these eX-
ercises and games affect the health and longevity
OF the people, because, being deprived of these
sports. they labor only TO obtain food. which may
be two days in the week, and having no mental re-
Taxation. the remainder of the time is devoted TO
sleeping, or drinking and other vicious practices. 1t
must be borne in mind, that we are speaking of
'.rOI4t hLOSC a AWAY LlOfCO q
lropic sun. from their remotest ancestry to the
present time. They cannot endure the same unin-
trrrupted and ince>sant labor as Europeans or
Americans. without a very much greater wear and
tear and though capable of very severe toll and
great physical achievement, ii is only for a short
time together. and is generally followed by long
periods Of rest. Within the tropics, the inhabitants
require longer periods of relaxation. both from
mental and physical employment. than in temperate
climates and there are few who have not heard OF
the dangers which environ those of high latitudes.
who reside in, Of even visit the equatorial regions
Of the earth. Now. simply desisting from labor Is
not rest: particularly in young subjects people,
10 enjoy life, require more; they want amusement,
without which they flag, the spirits drOop, disease
follows. and they drag on a miserable, misanthrOpic
existence till death closes the scene. The practice
in the middle and northern sections OF our country,
must not be taken rs a rule. for there is perhaps no
civilized people on earth, with the same oppOrtu-
mites, who spend so little time in sports and amuse-
ments. They all fix upon a time 10 come for en-
jOyment. which generally arrives when the vivacity
and elasticity Of mind and body have already dis
appeared. aud the organism is no longer sensible
- Prime Manlania Hay