The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-11-22

INTERCHANGEABLE WORLDS everybody may not
know,-siguihes the science Of coins and medals.
DIR. Charles Spiers, . gentleman now residing at the
Hawaiian Hotel, is a very successful numismatist.
having the largest and most valuable collection Of
rare aud ancient coins in the world-as stated by
DR.. Linierman Of the United States Mint, who has
travelled in Europe and knows whereof he speaks.
DIR. Spiersi is 70 years of age-still bale and strong
and has visited about every country on the globe,
having been some co years in making his collections.
The larger portion Of these are deposited in the Mint
in San Francisco, but the Doctor has quite q large
number Of rich aud rare specimens with him here.
Some Of these were buried by him in 1862, twenty
seven years ago, from the fear that they might be
stolen in those lswless times, and were only recently
resurrected. We had the pleasure one day this week
of examining the Doctors cabinet Of coins and med
ais, and confess TO having been deeply interested.
II is one thing to read in books the history Of the
ancients-of Abraham, Of the men Of Nineyeh and
Babylon, of Syria, Persia, Of Greece and Rome, or
later still of Charlemagne and the oldtime kings Of
England but il brings one nearer 70 them and
seems to dispel the mists Of ages TO look upon and
handle the very coins that perhaps they handled.
For here was a shekel Of the time Of Abraham, 1000
years before the birth Of Christ ; q gold piece Of
S~emiramis, the wariike Queen Of Nineveh and
Babylon ; one Of Paris and Helen Of Troy coins az
Alexander the Great. of Philip his father, and Of
Amyntas his grandfather coins Of Greece ; Of the
Roman Republic Of the ancient kings Of France.
Germany and England q 6ve-penny piece Of Queen
Elizabeth, the counterpart Of which was recently sold
in England for ESQ American ante-revolution
paper money and coins, including the I" pine-tree''
shillings rare specimens of the first money coined
after the American Revelation various historical
medals, and specimens of the coinage Of every nation
under the sun that pretends to coin money. Each
of those old pieces of money suggests an epitome Of
history to the thoughtful mind. The Doctors entire
collection, including that on deposit in San Francis
CO, has been estimated by good judges to be worth
100000. Z
TGE Day WI CELEBRArEp-Monday the l7,h.
inst. being the day appointed by His Majesty the
King, for the proper observance of the z9d ami
versary of his birth. the shops and business with
the exception Of Chinese) We're closed, aud flags
and bunting were plentifully displayed from The
various consulates, and many private residences,
and to a great degree, by the vessels In the harbor.
The b~urghers and burghesses Ia large numbers
deserted the city and went here, there and every
where, to pass the day among the scenes aud incl
dents OF country pleasure trips. and the brightly
beaming sun and unclouded sky gave promise OF
weather suitable to enable one and all TO pass a
pleasant day. The principal point Of interest for
sight-seers and lovers of excitement, was Eva. for
at that place His Majesty and suite had planned 20
spend the day ; aud as boat-raclng, horse-raclng
and human racing, was q pUrt6rr OF The programme.
naturally Eva became the place where the greater
portion OF the = plebs y would be- likely TO assem-
Bile. The steamer Mokohi was placed al the dis
posal OF those who wished to engage passage TO
the classic shades OF Pearl River (where sharks
and sand bars may be found In great profusion.l
and at the advertised hour. 8 A. NJ, started from the
city with a goodly number OF passengers. The trip
to Eva was accomplished under the capable man
agement of the worthy Captain Doane. assisted by
a numerous corps OF other captains. mates and
sailors. in the short space of one hour and ten min
utes. The only incident Of note on the downward
trip. was the meeting with the Tug " Pele," stuck
on a coral bank, but the Capt. of the latter vessel
declining offered assistance. the MokoM kent on
for the head of the river and arriving opposite
NUaipfn Jrnnpad anahor Rnata ay;p- hao. ..
piled, the passengers were soon on shore, aud Ia
eager haste to reach the place at which the horse
and foot racing was TO take place. Foot racing
was first on the programme /; the distance so yds.
Several races were run. the winner OF two being
Mr.. Noble. and OF one Mr.. McGregor. fNone OF
the watches present were fast enough 10 keep the
time.) Rain coming on the horse racing was
given up and return was made by everybody to 4
the steamer, and on board which. all patiently 4
waited for the commencement OF the boatrace. Z
At l:30 His Majesty appearing. the boats were
brought into line and. after saluting. the two boats
which were to compete in the first race made their
appearance, each manned by eight stalwart native
oarsmen and steered by Mrs. Kapooloku and
Mrs. Kinoiki. The distance from the starting
point, around the stake boat end return, was
about a mile. and both boats quickly accomplished
the distance. the one coxswslned by Mrs. Kapoo-
loku winning by a few lengths only. The next
race was between four. eight aud nine cared
boats. seemingly subject to no conditions but that
the 6rst back. was to be- regarded as the winner.
In this race His Majesty coxswained a boat pulled
by young lads all under twelve years OF age and
who fought bravely, considering the weight they
carried. to score a winning. The boys were not
successful, the nine cared barge steered by II. II.
III. the Princess Liliu coming In first and quickly
followed by Mrs. K~ahanawai's gig. His Majesty's
boat coming in fourth. At the conclusion OF the
races, lunch was partaken OF by those who had
come provided. The absences of wind prevented
the proposed yacht race, only two OF the expected
yachts having arrived. At 4 p. NJ. the start home
ward was made, and the picture as the Mokolii
moved from her anchorage, with the boats OF the
royal party towing astrrn. flags and pennants fly
ing, the dark background formed by the bills, The
bright and glorious sheen OF The river in front, all
this together with the enlivening strains OF music
from the band was such as will serve TO keep long
in the memory the naialiti"ns day. After q short
stop at Puuloa to receive II. NJ. the Queen. the city
was reached and the company dispersed. satisfied
that the weather was the only drawback to their
thoroughly enjoying the day.