Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-10-18
SATURDAY. OCTOBER


- minutes past noon, last Thursday, was by no
mean, unexpected. Andyei, a. death always is,
II vas q shock. All who have learned to know
and esteem Mrs. Bishop must feel a personal
loss in her un,imely taking o. Bernice f1uahi
paki " 3 born December 10, 1891, her parents
being the High Chief paki and the High
Chiefcss Konia. The little one was adopted At
birth by the High Chcless kinau, mother Of
Kamehamchas V and V, who succeeded Kaahu
munuas premierof Kamehamehl ILL., The child
was chnstenci Bernicc Pauah When the
Princes Victoria was born to Kcklun1oa and
kinnu, Bemicc returned to the custody Of her
parents though she still remained at the
Royal School Her parents then lived in their
home called IIalcakala thepupehy occupied fpr
70 long by Mr.. and Mrs. Bishops. The house still
standing, was built by pnki, substantially as it
!, now II was a magnificent place Tor those
days and was kept up In true feudil style, an
independent rctinue following Paki, whenever
he went abroad.
Little Bernicc attended the Royal School,
and is mentioned by the Rev lnm Bingham
inhishistory,as playing very prettilyon thepiano
al the age Of about 10. This musical proiici.
ency she retained up to the time Of her death and
was liberal patron OF musical cultivation in
our midst Her school education was con
cluded on leaving the Royal School, but she
read and improved her mind from that day un.
I'll her last illness.
In June 1880 she was married TO Hon. c.
ID a.. a..
union was congenial, and mutually helpful.
Mrs. Bishop became at once society leader
in the best sense Of the word. Few ladies
had more extended acquaintance with the
officers Of American, British and other foreign
war ships than Mrs. Bishop, whose home was
periodically the scene Of unpreien,ious yet
elegant entertainment
Mrs. Bishops father died in 1855, her mother
in 1857. She and her husband have resided
at the home place almost continuously since,
United States and one to Europe, in which
Mrs Bishop received the distinction Of being
presented to Queen Victoria.
The charities OF Mrs. Bishop were many
more than will ever be known. She gave with.
out ostentation, so that few OF the general
public knew either the character OF the scope
Of her benciactions. Much of her charity took
the form graceful assistance to young girls of
pure or mixed Hawaiian blood, whereby many
were enabled to gain education aud grace re-
spectacle and happy homes.
In her intercourse with all Mrs. Bishop was
uniailingly kind ana courteous. Servant or
peer, like gracious atfability awaited any
one who came into her sphere She had read
conversed, travelled, with eye and ear ant
brain always open 10 impressions, and few
Hawaiian ladies Of any circle knew so well tn,
power OF entertaining guests conversationally
The following episode in Mrs. bishops life i,
no, generally known, although often talked of
by many whoare fully acquainted with the facts
When Kamehameha " was on his death bed h,
was asked 10 name successor. AT first he re
fused On being pressed, he turned to Mrs
Bishop and said:"I want ,on to take my place.
She declined, espressivey, but firmly, saying
incidentally, that the nation did no, 'need" he
service. Tothisthe replied that his wish tina
she should accept the crown was out Of "lov'
for his people" But the kings request an,
the urgent solicitation OF her friends were alik
unavailing.
The disease which carried Mrs, Bishop OF
baiiled the skill OF the best physicians obtain
able. Its inception fairly may be dated iron
the death Of Princess Keeliokalani, over the
details Of whose protracted funeral preparations
she taxed her energies to the serious injury o
her constitution.
II is idle, il is almos, mperinent to speak O
the grief OF him to whom the dead chieiess an,
estimable Christian had been for over thirt
years true wife, a faithful friend, a clos,
confident a sagacious adviser. But the write
cannot bu, echo wha, is everywhere apparcn,
the sincere sympathy Of an entire community
the hope that solace may be given him in
bereavement that the whole nation understands
Into the cup of bitterest aiilic,ion there ma,
fall drops oi sweetest satisfaction. Nothin,
can take from the chief mourner the assurranc
tina, his duty had been done and well done
and there must be something OF comfort in tn,
the important business houses within half al
hour OF the announcement OF Mrs. Bishop
death the flags tina, dropped at half mas
above every consulate in the city and from tn
anchored shipping the closing Of govern
ment Offices ; the wide spread evidences c
sincere sorrow.
The native race has lost one Of its hes
friends. But, II liawnians consider well the III
their dead patron lived, her death should b
only another example Of the credit that al
taches to a good life. Let the native rae
remember that II IS the true womanliness
Pauahi's lie that makes her death nations
bereavement her rank, not her soeia
station, not her wealth but the example ,
her pure and womanly life.
Perhaps the best tribute to the genuine a
fiction accorded by thi, community to the lat
Mrs. Bishop has been the spontaneous gri'
of the natives who thIonged to the Emms
!, Street house and grounds all Thursday aitc
uoon and night ; and the unmiStakable sorro
oi the personal friends Of all races who passe
in sad procession through the spacious chamb,
where all that was mortal OF Bernice Paual
Bishop lay in moarniul state the eounierfe
presen,menI of one who sleeps in vigorous liz
the cruel reality OF one who sleeps in relen
less death. rha, spacious room looked neye
30 g'ini, beautiful as yesterday.
In the center OF the rear OF the two mauk
rooms lay bier covered with canopy Of snow
silk that fell in folds to the floor. Upon
lay the dead her figure covered hya pail ,
white satin, only the peaceful, life III
features visible. Three tall kahiliS. their ieaihe
creamy white. stood a, the head Of the bic