The Hawaiian gazette., 1877-06-20

vi CuiIo UT DOmOdy- ePoah oniy aS w tue
plan Of the house. its cleanliness the comfort Of
its beds, the delightful ariness OF Its public and
private sittingrooms and corridors.
A most obliging host. hostess, and manager.
willing to do all that is possible to make their
guests comfortable, succeeding in all things but
one, but that one most important exception,
the 4" cuisine"
Of this cannot speak highly; it is not that
the food is not abundant and good, and the
menu" varied, that the manipulation of il is
bad.
The dinner hour is from FIVE to seven o'clock
long before which time the several "plats" are
prepared and kept simmering and stewng in
American hotel fashion, until all favor and fresh
ness are taken out of them, SO that when served
they all taste alike.
The Continental I. table dhote," the Partisan
restaurant system, does not seem understood
With good French or frst-rate Chinese cook,
the hotel would be perfect.
Situated in a large garden in the midst of
magnificent ageroba, guava, tamarind. and pa
paya trees, the balconies shaded with beautiful
creepers, it reminds me of those at many plea
SAINT Continental watering place, the comparison
been complete when on special evenings of the
week the Kings Royal Hawaiian Band is per-
mitted to play on the smuoth-shaven lawn, and
| the t. elite" of the town and neighborhOOd pro-
menade in its spacious drawing room, or sit
and lounge in it's ample corridors and balconies
For those who like to live quieter life. apart
ments with board in private families or furnished
houses may be obtained.
Society is Cosmopolitan, agreeable, and easy,
keeping early hours with most courteous and
king-like monarch, surrounded by well-ordered
Court, TO which is accredited an American MIN
lister, British and French Commissioner and
| Consul General, society at Honolulu will be
found equal if not superior to that of many of the
winter resorts OF Europe
| Dinner parties. balls, croquet parties, and con-
certs given in style aud with a complete
ness which would be thought very pleasant at
home. There is freedom from Formally, q des-
ire on the part of host or hostess TO ensure the
happiness Of everyone present most marked, and
this forms to stranger most pleasing feature
OF Hawaiian Inequalities. The general dinner
hours is from five to six except in families where
for the sake OF the children Two o'clock is more
convenient
Breakfast Is from to 9 A. NJ, early hours 10 a
warm climate being conducive to health but the
French style OF living, the early cup OF coffee aud
roll, a "dejeuner la fourchett" at eleven and
dinner at six, is by no means uncommon.
Comfortable carriages and good riding horses
may be purchased or hired on moderate terms.
For those who prefer a promenade on the
water good boats are not wanting. The water
in the harbor, protected by the coral reefs from
the heavy rollers of the Pacific, is quite calm,
and the view of the town, embowered in tropical
vegetation and foliage, with its noble background
of mountains, most picturesque and striking.
English is universally spoken, by the king and
Court down to the working man. The visitor is
not put to the trouble OF learning new language
to interpret bis wants or wishes.
| For gentlemen of sporting tastes. fair duck,
pover, and quail shooting may be had in the
season, good fishing In the harbor and in Pearl
River On the adjacent island of "Molokai"
pheasants abound, though introduced few years
ago. Fine turtle may be caught in plenty on
windward side of the island.
| Daring the past two months Honolulu has
been envened by visits from H.M.S. Challenger
Captain f. Thompson, RN., with the scientific
corps in charge of the deepsea soundings under
superinten lance of Professor Wyville Thompson,
of Edinburgh from H.M.S. .Rspulse,' Rear
Admiral Cochrane, K.O.B. H.M.S. 'Peterel,
| Captain Cookson, R.N., is now here, and likely
| to remain some time.
The us. frigate Pensacola, Rear-Admiral
Almy, has just left, after stay of eight months.
The officers OF all these vessels have formed q
pleasant addition to Honolulu society. and much
hospitality has been exchanged between the n-
| habitants ashore and officers ahoat.
Great interest was excited by the sight of the
numerous curiosities collected on board the
Challenger, the results of her cruise around the
world, an interest enhanced by the courteous ex-
plantations of those in charge.
The simplicity Of the apparatus by which such
great and important scientific results have been
obtained from Neptune's submarine depths, was
perhaps one of the most striking features of the
exhibition. King Kal lkaua, on his visit to this
vessel, was very much pleased with all he saw,
and, from the pertinent nature of his inquiries,
| showed how much interest he felt in the objects
| of the expedition
The us. flagship Pensacola sailed on the
25th ult. for the coast of Mexico, having been
here for eight months, and has left behind many
"reminiscences of hospitable and pleasant recep-
| tions balls, and parties on board Among
| the tradespeople more substantial tokens. her
disbursement in the town averaging 2U00 to
| 2500l. sterling per month"; large sum to spend
in a small community
| This letter would be incomplete without some
| description of the town itself.
| Situated on the south-Westsrly slope OF an ex-
tinct volcano on the eeward side of the island Of
Oahu" its streets and houses cover an area ex-
tending about two miles inland, and one mile
parallel to the sea, afOrding shelter TO popula-
ton of about 10000 natives, ana 5000 white
people.
Fucing the sea are commodions wharves with
convenient sheds and warehouses, alongside
which vessels of 5000 tons and upwards can lie
afoat to land or receive cargo.
In the immediate proximity OF these wharves
are situated the stores and Offices of the merchants
and traders who supply the people of this and
the other islands of the group with the English
and American goods, taking 10 exchange and
shipping their produce, consisting OF sugar, coffee,
puu hides, wood, tallow, whaleoil, rice, &C.
The trade in whale and sperm oil, formerly the
chief support of the place, has fallen from
2,551 600 gallons in 1858 to 403,S76 gallons in
1874. and is yearly decreasing but notwlth-
standing the loss of this valuable commerce, and
| the expenditure of the feet of whalers Tin some
years numbering 200 vessels), the customs reve-
nue. has risen from 10000 dollars in 1888 to
l73 600 dollars in 1874. In 1870 it attained its
maximum, and was $4,000 dollars.
Running Up from the wharves and landing
places are several main lines of Streets one only
of which, the "Nuuanu" Avenue, is prolonged
into the country beyond the town. 1t forms the
main artery of Communication with the windward
side of the island, rising LOCO feet in SIX miles
from the sea to summit level.
At this point called the Pail" it ceases to
be carriage road. and is continued by mule
path of rapid and deep descent to the plains
| below.
On each side are built the residences of the
principal European merchants and natives !;
charming houses and bungalows OF one or two