The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-06-12
A Noble Institution.
EXAMINATION EXERCISES AT MISS BINoHAM's NATIVE
HAWAIIAN FEMALE SEMINARY.

] EXAMINATION EXERCISES Al MISS BINOHAM = NATIVE
HAWAIIAN FEMALE SEMINARY.
On Wednesday the 9th instant, we witnessed the
annual examination of this excellent native school,
The exercises took place under a spacious marquee,
( CONSTRUCTED we presume out of the wings of the mis-
sionary Morning STAR and erected upon the beau
tiful lawn of the Kawaiahao Seminary grounds; and
the ample spread of canvass shaded a large and
choice assemblage of our most respectable society.
We beheld on the dais of exhibition t~hirty-one Ha-
waiian girls. varying in ages from about Eve to six
teen. Their personal appearance was impressive;--
giving evidence in their costume of the utmost neat
ness and cleanliness, and of a superior refined taste;
and showing forth in their ease of movement and
grace of pose, and in their clear well toned articula-
ton of the English language. most interesting evil
dence of q very high degree of culture. And if a
critical eye may have discerned some little deficiency
of expression in a few of these young native faces,
such observation only tended to prove to our minds
that this culture must begin early. so that its admit
rable influence may be more thoroughly assinilated
to natures liable to be darkeDed by an ancestral faint
of degrading ignorance. But we saw faces there
among those pupils, presenting a reflex Of enlightened
Christian nurture, that would compare favorably
with the best illustrations of scholastic and social dis
cipline in the most advanced countries.
The recitations in various branches Of an English
education were very fluent and accompanied with
much ease of manner. All did well; but if We were
compelled to sit in judgment upon the several classes
that appeared before US, ana 10 give The award or q
competitive examination, We should be inclined to
yield it to a junior class, especial in geography. The
little maidens of five to ten answered very correctly
and promptly. But in other branches, their elder
sisters we're admirably proficient. Their dialogues
were rendered with a quiet grace. and with a fluent
- - - Al -
~incipient amateurs of the mimic art only needed q
little more instruction and some accessories Of scenic
surroundings to be enabled to illustrate with instruct
i've and entertaining effect the artistic productions Of
the most gifted minds.
We we're a little startled when exercises in pbysi-
ology were announced. and especially when We saw
half a dozen Hawaiian maidens parade before us a
human skull and a lot of human bones. Their exer-
cises indicated an intelligent and ~benefcent knowledge
of this most vital branch of education. Their illus
trations in respect to conditions of atmosphere as
suited to human existence were most simple, and
clear, and admirably executed. Now we presume, il
need not be feared, that because Hawaiian girls are
taught the mechanism of the human frame, the con-
ditions of respiration most favorable to its well being,
and certain fundamental principles of hygiene, that
we are TO have an accession to our medical faculty Of
native doctresses; not so, but rather we appreciate.
that Hawaiian girls, as well as those Of any other
race, being thus instructed in principles, relating to
their physical well-being, will render this knowledge
an additional preservative of the purity Of life, which
they derive from the instruction, training, and disci-
pline of a fostering institution of virtue.
The Calisthenic exercises a, the conclusion were .
happy blending of melody and harmonious action
and movement The def manipulations Of little
palms; the well drilled play of supple limbs; the
marching aud countermarching, and varied serpen-
tine evolutions Of lines of graceful figures presented
TO the gratifed sight of the spectators & most charming
kaleidoscope Of tasteful, artistic parade, that re-
minded US of fine scenic effects in temples Of art
abroad. But we were also reminded here by songs
and hymns of praise to an Almighty God and a
Blessed Redeemer, that we were in the presence of a
band of Christian girls and in a temple devoted to
religion and a pure elevated life.
This school exercise, may be regarded as a fair illus
tration of Christian instruction and culture On these
islands:-And if Hawaii has much to lament, this
institution, and, some others like il, are blessed boons
to a suffering land sufficient to compensate for many
regrettable declines aud losses. HaWaiians are DOW
reduced to a feeble tribe, but if all we're as these little
ones, then might the isles lift up their heads proudly
among the most honored of the earth. As the thirty
thousand souls Of ancient educated Athens were Of
consequence u II WI AZ ARHh AZ ~ |
millions Of barbaroUs Asia; 60 may these t~hirty-one
cultured Christian native girls be esteemed of far
more consequence to Polynesia and to all the civilized
world than ten thousand times the number Of beatben
Hahines-Who shall doubt our assertion, when con-
tras;ing such a scene as this, illustrating purity and
refined wonaDly taste; with the desOlating horrors Of
the abominsble hula7 Hawaii may be proud Of such
girls. They honor the land in the eye Of intelligent
strangers more than many mighty argosies Of pro-
duce. They are the jewels in which King and peo-
pie should exult; and which will awaken the pro-
foundest interest in the hearts Of thinkers and of
generous souls from abroad. 1t is most noble to labor
in such a blessed cause. They who do so preserve the
hope OF a people; and they are most potent instru-
mentalities in the hands Of Almighty God for the re-
demption Of a race. Then many times houored In
the foremost ranks Of philanthropy as we'll as Chris
tianity must be such workers; and ali of US who have
at heart the welfare Of Hawaii owe a great debt of
gratitude to Miss Bingham, aud TO her most Efficient
co-workers, Miss Ingraham and Miss Mosely.
Hydrate of choral as a stimulant is taking the
place of opium, hasheesh, etc., in England, and TO
some extent, in this country. II kills in about three