, 1878-01-12

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A recent Eastern exchange contains let
ter written from Honolulu, 5. l., from which
we take the following:
The Hawaiian, or Sandwich Islands lie
in the North Pacific, stretching from latitude
10 deg. to % deg, and from west longitude
I5J deg. to l6l deg about 20SO, miles from
San Francisco, and 1880 China The bell
tower, one of the most conspicuous objects
in Honolulu. is in latitude 2l deg, Is min
and % sec, and longitune l57 deg, IS min
and IS sec. The Transit of Venus Observa-
tory is in the north latitude q deg, IL min.
and 56 Sec There are twelve islands in the
group, eight of which are inhabited, and the
area of the whole is 5000 square niles
Their names are Hawaii, Maui, Danai,
Hahoolawe, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and
and Nnhan. Molekini, Lehua, kaula, and
Bird Island are barren rocks.
These islands are chain of volcanic peaks,
rising abruptly from a depth of three miles
above, making the loftiest SUBMITS of
Hawaii, six miles above the bed of the
Pacific ocean. They possess the general at
tractive characteristics of the tropical Poly
nesian groups-that perfection Of climate
and most charming scenery which suggest TO
the sea-worn traveller, Paradise and the
Gaylen of Eden. As seen from the deck of
a steamer, gliding rapidly along their shores,
no scenery can be more picturesque their
mountain tops enveloped In clouds-or, per
haps III winter, wrapped in mantle of snow,
mountains slopes broken into enormous
gulches, fern-clad, tree clad, green with the
richest summer foliage, and sparkling with
numerous shining waterfalls and small
streamlets- they present the most delight
full and charming picture imaginable. Ap-
preaching nearer the land, plantations of
golden sugar cane attract attention at once;
broad fields of veivety and emerald colored
pasture land. dotted with cattle and sheep,
transforms the solitude of another into real
life, while groups of eocoanut palms and
banana patches skirt the red and white coral
shores, under whose shade may be discover
ed, with a glass. the primitive dwellings of
the simple natives, themselves strolling on
the beach, fishing in the sea or sporting on
the surf.
HONOLULU.
The approach to the city, as the steamer
passes the remarkable promontOry called
Diamond Head, and opens to view the ex-
tellsive cccoanut and grange groves of Nal
kiki, It's pretty -fern-clad and ivy and honey
suskie draped cottages dotting the shore, the
shipping and the city almost buried III the
distance, with the lofty background OF ser
rated mountains, and near the foreground, OF
wind combed, snow crested breakers, curl
ing many miles TO the westward, is exceed
ingly picturesque, and will never be forgot
ten by astranger The Sudden change III
the ocean color Is a peculiar feature III this
beautiful scene, the land rising so abruptly
that the ocean retains its dark blue tint with
IL nile or less of the shore, and passes
through all of the marine spectrum. Tie
Honolulu roadstead is accessible at all times
and safe during most of the year; has good
anchorage in l3 to Is fathons. 1t IS always
safe except Ii kona or south storm, which
very rarely occurs, except during the winter
mo,iths, from December to March As
depot for trade, Honolulu possesses great
advantages as the key Of the North Pacific,
aid the OCEAN halfway house of North
America, Asia, California, and the new
world of Australi. and New leland. Its
harbor is small but perfectly safe. and will
accommodate seventy five vessels. Itswharves
have frontage of twenty five hundred feet,
and are built mostly of stone. All passengers
who land at this port are required to pay a
fee of two dollars for the support of the
Queens hospital, an institution for the JOINT
benefit of Hawaiian and foreigners The
duties on the custom house are SPECIFIC and
valorcm. The Hawaiian hotel Is an elagant
house and much of the pleasure of a trip
to these islands depends upon stopping there.
When Illuminated at night with flaming
torches and Chinese lanterns for an out door
concert, and when crowded with people and
the gay colors which the Hawaiian ladies'
love to display, the picture equals the en-
chanted description Of the Arabian Nights.
lis handy in business point of vIew. lis
not far from the Royal Palace. 1t IS near the
parliament house, and close to the publlc
square, where the Hawaiian band playSevery
Saturday. 1t is within few minutes walk
Of the custom house, postotiice and consul
ate Offices. The parlor of the hotel Is spa
cious and handsomely furnished with black
walnut furniture Of the latest pattern The
floor is covered with elegant Brussels, max
ing, with its surroundings, a pleasant and
handsome reception room. The following IS
the ordinary bill of fare at the Hawaiian;
soft-shell crabs, Pacific ocean Holsters, null
let, bonita, dolphin, flying fish, and some
ten varieties of tropical fish in their season;
beef, mutton, pork, and all kinds of poultry:
Irish and sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes,
corn, beets, cabbage, carrots, radishes, onions,
turnips squash, egg plant, eueumbers, taro,
bread fruit, yams, etc, Strawberries, grapes,
gnavas, oranges, pine apple, bananas, pohas
or cape gooseberries, bapaias, melons, ohias,
etc. The city is supplied with fresh water
from mountain streams as clear and spark
ling as that described by Claude Melnotte in
the lake of Como, when making love to
Pauline.