The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-14
A PATAGONIAN PoTENTATE.

The Late Cakobau, King of the Fill Islands
"A Career OF Cnnnibslism and Conquest
Abandoned for Christianity and Depend.
ence.
By the death of Cakobau, the ex.king OF
the Fiji Islands, parsonage of some note
in the history of our colonial empire, dis
appears. Up to the year 1874, when his
sovereignty was coded to England, he was
nominally, at least, the "Tui VIII" though
for ty other minor sovereigns disputed his
claim to the monarchy of the csnnibal isles
and it was always an open question whether
he had any right to be recognized as SUI
preme. Happily, however. for him, the
fact that Levuka, the principal port of the
group WAS situated in the islet which he
ruled In vicarious way, determined the
question. Accordingly, for eight years. his
majesty enjoyed the dignity of a retired
potentate, and the more substantial 81, 800
year which he drew from the colonial
treasury, while his "Vuni. valu." or war.
club, in all the splendors of silver mount.
ing, keeps company with Koilee-
ures of South Kensington. We are afraid,
however, that "Cakobau Reg" us he had
been taught to sign his name, was never
| much of king. He attained tho Vitean
throne too late TO have all his own way and
abdicated too early to obtain place in the
Almenach de Gotha. Succeeding his father
| Tanos, in 1859, he began promising career
OF cannibalism and conquest. But in neither
role did Cakoban greatly distinguish him
SELF for he deserted the dietary of his an
cestors IN orderto embrace Christianity, aud
for many years before his death he was q
consistent member of the Wesleyan con
| ,.,ttnn A hnnt tha CO M tttna tha iulu, nd
which he had annexed repudiated his au
thorily, and unruly settlers from New
South Wales gave him more trouble thar
even his anthropophagus subjects. Not
knowing whittier to turn, the king, as carly
AZ 1858, offered his domnions, first TO En-
gland and then to the United States il
both instances meeting with re-
fusal. by and by matters grew
worse rather than better. Fined for out
RACES Oh Europeans which he had no powe
to prevent, he fell into the clutches Of tn,
stock exchange in the shape of certain Mel
bourne tinancers, and Tongan chic
named Maafa threatened to Dust him alto
gether from the throne. But If Cakoba,
had little Of the substance of royalty, h,
had most Of its emblems. His coach, car
ried for time on the backs of hcman be
ings, was gorgeous vehicle. His crow
and scepter were the wonder of the Fijians
He had parliament, with ministry an,
opposition, and the usual officers of state
while the postage-etamps Of the Fijian SOY
ereign were, until lately, used in the colony
Nv. r. being simply printed over th
&c. r." OF the ancient regime. Neithe
regalia nor postage-stamps could, however
save Fiji. To use the words OF the shrcw
, king, ut was a piece of driitwood on tn
sea, TO be picked up by the first passer
| by" and TO save the Australian colonies
! from the risk Of dIsagreeable neighbor,
Sir Hercules Robinson accepted It's cessior
In personal appearance Cakobau, of This
kombau, as his name Is phoneticall
spelled, was not unkingly, and alter Ia
/. got over the discomfort of wearing cothe,
D he managed to play his part with consider
, able eclat. Like the Papaun race general,
. he was almost black, but hair, beard an
whiskers gave him that venerable appea
ance which the negro carries 80 well. II
sons were educated In Sydney, and spea
English fluently. "Roko" Timothy, VIII
: ipherits the family honors, and as much