Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-04-30

IT is a strange fact that the older the world
grows the more we learn of the ancient races,
their history and customs. The modern
student pursues his Investigations under every
possible disadvantage, but slowly and surely
the mystery that has overspread the past is
being dispelled by host of ardent workers.
The Egyptian hieroglyphics SO long uninteli-
gible have been deciphered, the engraved
blocks Of Babylonian and Cha!dean origin
have been translated, and the puzzling inscrip
tons on the Moabitic stone have been made
TO add their chapter To the history of the
olden time. The art Of writing, crude as it
was in those days, and limited as was it's
knowledge, now affords us the only index to
what would otherwise have been q sealed
book. But of ancient nations not acquainted
with the art of embalming language in indy
ing characters, nothing definite can now be
learned. Where the offspring Of such races
yet survive, their history lives in their songs
and legends, from which alone a knowledge
OF their origin, language and customs may be
obtained. 1t is universal fault of students
that while many are prone to grope in the
past. Others are as active in specializing on
the future, while both neglect the opportuni-
ties offered by the present opportunities per-
haps that will soon have passed away forever.
Savage races, powerful only few short years
ago, have entirely disappeared from the earth
with their legends and songs, leaving numer-
Gus blank pages in the chronicles of the
human race that can never be filled. 1t is
impossible TO conjecture how many nations
have thus passed away that do not even
occupy q place in the memory of their exter-
minators. The lessons OF the past should
teach the student of history, the Archaeological,
the philologisi, the ethnologs, o"act. act, III
the living present." We have just had the
pleasure Of reviewing the second volume Of
Mr.. A. Fornanders "PolynesiaD Races I"
recently issued from The press of Trubner a.
Co. of London. Volume |. of this work pub
lishcd in 1879 is an exhaustive study OF the
origin and history Of the Polynesian races and
their languages, and was tire result OF many
years of historical and pathological research
among Indian, Malaysan and Poynesian lore.
1t embraces, besides the results OF the original
research of the author, all worthy Of interest
or credence that had been deduced by preyi-
Gus investigators. II ia one of the most
| important works that has been contributed
towards solving the mysterious origin and
history of this large division Of the human
race, and as book Of reference for tho stu
dent and investigator it is invaluable. The
second volume is also the result Of years Of
interchangeable ami persistent labor, and is
written IA style that will make II much moro
acceptable to the average reader than Vol. I.
Il treats mainly of the aboriginal history Of
the Hawaiians and VI the conquest of the
| group by Kamehameha, and while il is elab-
crate in its scope and at the same time con-
else, and compiled With the striciest regard
for the facts, il 10 written in such clear,
comprehensive and interesting style, that after
the reader has read few pages no will finish
the book. II is q siorchouse OF knowledge
and imparts it's instruction in the most agree
able and fascinating manner. This work sup
plies most fully want that has long beer
felt in it's particular held, and will occupy .
place on the shelves Of future libraries along
with Bancroit's "Sative Races Of the Pacific
Coast" Mr.. Commander has conferred last
ing obligation on the Hawaiian kingdom and
every one Interested IN tue history Of ths