The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-12-29

| mystic letters. LlI6 anu uCdLu dEc GplLOIQlscQ IL
the opening and close of each annual revolution
Looking back at our social existence during the
past twelve months, how many gaps are discerni'
BILE From the palace to the hut, the busy hand oil
the unseen messenger of doom has garnered his
annual tribute for the tomb. In the course oil
the past year the nation has wept over the un-
timely end of a royal youth, the hope Of Hawaii
mel, and mourned for the venerable sire Of a
departed Hawaiian monarch. Three of the mes
sengers of the gospel of Christ to this once pagan
land have donned the garb of immortality. Con-
s~picuous forms and old familiar faces have van
ished from our midst. The closing year brings
a solemn admonition to the children of mortality.
Our political situation during the past twelve
months has offered one or two novelties. The
progress of O Royal Commission of enquiry into
the natural resources of our Islands was attempt
ed with useful results. The departure of a Ha-
waiian diplomatic envoy on a mission to the
Courts of Europe is destined to improve the in
ternational relations of this Kingdom with for
eign powers.
Perhaps never before since Hawaii mel emerged
from the darkness of barbarism, and it's people
began to devote themselves to the industrial pur-
oNllo VI III iIiC3 Ia 81 JSdL SlO6Cu LuIOuRu-
out the whole course of which SO remarkable q
prosperity has attened the labors of agricul-
ture, trade and INT This happy condition
has been mainly due to the influence of the Recip-
rocity Treaty. The labor question has natur-
ally attracted the attention of government, in
view of the increased demand for hands on the
plantations, and a plan for the introduction of
South Sea Islanders has been expeditiously car
ried out by government. Some excitement has
prevailed on account of the arrival Of large num-
bers of unmarried young Cinnamon and sugges-
tions have been made to introduce Chinawomen
into the Islands, if possible. But, greatly to
the credit of the Hawaiians, no excuses have
occurred, like those which d~isgraced California
i'll the Chinese agitation, and it is to be hoped
that like scenes will never be witnessed in this
law-abiding Kingdom. Other plans were sug-
gested for the introduction of women, from
various quarters, and the coming year will, it is
hoped, witness large additions to our female pop
ulation.
The architectural aspect of the capital and
other large centres has vastly improved in the
past twelve months. The activity in the build
ing business has been truly surprising.
Our inter island traffic has reason to chronicle
as an epoch the year just elapsing, inasmuch as
in its course it has been wonderfully benefited
by the arrival of a handsome new steamer. In
the same time large and important additions have
been made to our feet of sailing coasters.
Our transmarine postal service has gained
immensely, by the addition of a s%emi-monthly
steam line between Honolulu and San Francisco,
and even while we write, the first trip of this
-. -. l. i
A retrospect of the past years monetary trans
actions is calculated to suggest the conclusion
that, financially, this country is in a very healthy
condition, and that there is no lack of money to
carry out any enterprise whose utility can fairly
claim the outlay of funds.
In the judicial proceedings of the past year,
an event, highly painful to humanitarians, has
oceurred-the execution of a criminal. 1t is to
be hoped that the example of the enlightened
King of Belgium, who, since the opening of
his reign, has refused to allow capital punish
ment in his realm, will produce an influence
upon other sovereigus, our own included.
The religious life of the land during the year
1877 has kept pace with it's worldly progress
and prosperity. The means of religious ~instruc-
ton are abundant in this country, and the people
ReueIdliy dYaI themselves OF the GOspel light.
Some discussion has taken place about the Sun
day Law, but the due observance of the Lords
Day is upheld by all the people almost without
exception.
just at the close of a year of unwonted pros
perity, a heavy calamity has overtaken the
capital of the Kingdom in the recent conaagra-
ton. 1t has been remarked that Providence
has been kind to our poor people,
and most fortunately no houseless, homeless
are to be seen in our streets after the
calamity, whose weight has fallen mainly upon
the property Of the government and those who
will not SO seriously feel their losses.
Let US close our meditations on the flight of
time by quoting this appropriate verse from that
sterling English poet, Barry Cornwall:
Touch US gently, Time!
We've not proud nor soaring wings
Our ambition, our content,
Lies in simple things.
Humble voysgers are we,
Der hfe's dim, unsounded sea,
Seeking only some calm cline -
Touch US gently, gentle Time ~