Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-05-13
SATURDAY PRESS.
MA Y IL, 1882
WANTED-A MUSEUM.

One Of the benefits resulting from tho Art
Loan Exhibition in this city should be the
founding of museum worthy of the name.
Probably there are few who were moro sur
prised at tho various and beautiful display
which is about to be brought to close than
the exhibitors themselves. Even those who
have been tolerably familiar with the adorn-
ments Of their noighbors' houses were unaware
of the treasures which have been boarded in
"my lady's chamber )" rare laces, rich jewels,
and the souvenirs that make shrines of the un-
freQucnted hooks and corners of home.
1t is true that much of little interest to any
one save it's possessor has crept into the exhi-
bition; but even these odds and ends have
their mission, for the jems Of the collection
are benefited by the contrast and some bare
space has been hidden out Of sight. We,
therefore, for this reason, and for others, do
not feel authorized to criticise where the object
is 80 worthy and the results so satisfactory.
Many articles Of great historical interest
have been gathered together, some of them
visible to the public eye for the first time, aud
we feel that if those who have been unable to
visit the exhibition rooms are never to have
an opportunity to examine these valuable
relics, it will be misfortune for which they
are in no wise to blame.
Honolulu is visited by vast number of
tourists; whenever the mail steamer is de-
tanned during pleasant hours Of daylight, the
through passengers scour the capital in search
of the "sights," and we may satisfy ourselves
hat fhn avplnratiNp for, At in
free discussion of the outward evidences of
our social, political and religious life. We
may not care fig for the opinions of the
Toms, Dicks, or Harrys of Australia or Of the
Coast we will undoubtedly survive it, of
whatever nature it may be but inasnuch az
| they are for the time being our guests inas-
much as they are honestly eager to learn
something Of us and are willing to drive to the
Pail over a wretched road, in the pouring rain
| because they have heard of its marvellous
beauty; inasmuch as they are pretty sure to
| find their way into the Government House-if
| they are English-and haunt the curio shops,
poor as these are, and take with them some-
thing which may be q palpabe reminder Of
brief, but, We trust. always agreeable visit, it
| 10 plty tHdt VIC uhNC uoL Iuubcuu W WulCu
all may be admitted and where tho relics of
tho past may be gathered and creditably dis
played. We refer chiefly to tho relics of tho
past because to them must ever pertain the
most interest, and the admirable exhibit of
Hawaiian antiquities at the Art Loan rooms 10
sufficient for the foundation of first class
museum.
1t must be confessed that the room in the
Government House allotted to the miscellane-
GUS and uncatalogued bric-a-brdc 10 unworthy
the namo Of museum. Sufficient appropriation
has not been made for it's maintenance, and
there is no society or association to take
charge of it. A suitable room or suite of rooms
10 needed, in charge Of curator who should
be OH the premises at certain hours Of tho day.
The collection should bo properly classified
and thoroughly catalogued; the catalogue
should be Of descriptive nature, for without
this specially the chief interest pertaining to
many Of the Hawaiian antiquities is utterly
lost. The public might be invited to contrib
ute to this national museum. It could be the
safe repository of many objects Of great value
and interest which are now locked away in
safes, or il preserved at home may be objects
of some solicituds 10 the possessors. When
the Prince Of Wales returned from India laden
with the splendid gifts which Eastern potent
ates had heaped upon him, he exhibited them
TO the publc-at South Kensington Museum,
II we are not in error
The loan department in the museum would
DO feature alike creditabe to the generosity
of the individual and the completeness and
excellence of the institution. To this admirable
resort the public should be admitted gratis At
all seasons Of the year. The explanatory cat
alogue, valuable for it's historical references,
coult be sold for u sum sufficient to cover the
expense Of publication. The native population.
by the inspection Of 80 interesting collection
of curios, would acquire just appreciation Of
this, the history Of their race. To tho for
) eigners these tangible evidences Of the aborig
inal life must ever be Of profound interest
We refer particularly to the department oi
Hawaiian antiquities. because though the nA-
tionul museum need by no meaus bs limited to
these, it is thess chiefly that will give il char.
/. acter and a reputation which will by no means
. be limited to this Kingdom.
! Among other departments should DO one fol
, views which faithfully represent scenery and
scenes peculiar to the Islands. Mr.. Furnsaux's
. series of volcanic studies, and others We could
mention, should hnd place in this depart.
ment With nucleus for museum es.sb.
lishsd. contributions Of various articles wouk
j pour iu ~ seon a. the public became assursi
that they would bs properly aud per,nansntl,
placed on exhibition.