The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-10-22
Bawaiialr Q5azttte.
EsT MoDUs IN REBUs.
,r.nx-rcpaU o,rT,opEp % rCct
TIE LATE MRS. c. R. BISHOP

were united many rare qualities, which
made her peculiarly adapted to be the
Friend Of both races in the community. a
native lady of the highest rank she com
manded the respect and won the love Of
her own people and all foreigners witt
whom she came in contact. She not only
thoroughly understood the native charac
ter but she also fully understood the for
eign character as well She thought and
acted as the most highly cultivated women
of the most highly civilized races, and she
helped the races 10 understand one an
other. In this way then. and even YET
more by the example she showed Of per
fectly well ordered, beautiful. virtuous life
she is indeed an irreparable loss, and Ha
waii may and does truly mourn her.
Bernice Pauahi was the daughter OF
Paki and Konia, both Of whom were rep
-esentatives of long lines of high chiefs IL
the Hawaiian Islands. She was born De
cember 18th, 1881, at Haleakala, the resi-
1ence of her parents in this city Imme
diately after her birth, she was, according
10 Hawaiian custom, adopted by Kinau
wife Of Governor Kekuanaoa and mother
Of Kamehameha ", Of Kahehameha '
and the late Princess Victoria Kamamalu
At the age of eight, the child was put
into the Royal School for the young chiefs
of these islands, under the charge OF Mr.
and Mrs Cooke. her schoolmates thus
being all children of the highest families
in the land. She remained with them
until her marriage with Mr. Bishop. then
collector General of Customs at Honolulu,
June 9Th, 1850 and for thirty four years
she has been the constant companion OF
her husband, the longest separation be
tween them never having exceeded a
couple of months
From the time of her marriage, Mrs.
Bishop took leading position in Homo
lulu. both socially and as leader in good
works Unlike many. her mental Cultiva-
ton did not end with her school days, she
devoted much time to self-improyement
and was well conversant with al the lead
ling questions of the day. She was great
reader and informed herself thoroughly
of the history of the old world. 1t was
Railways her great ambition TO travel In
1866 Mr. and Mrs. Bishop paid a short
visit to California, and in 1871 spent few
months in the Eastern States, but it was
mot till 1875 that her wish for an extended
tour was gratiied. In that year she and
her husband went TO the United States
and Europe, remaining away about a
year and a half During the tour the
principal cities OF Europe were visited.
and everywhere the Hawaiian chiefess
met with marked attention When in
London she was presented to Queen
Victoria and entertained by some of Eng
lands historic families. Wherever she
went her intelligence, dignity of manner
and winning gentleness acquired for her
friends, and the friendships so formed.
have IN many instances, survived the sep
aration caused by time and distance
OF Mrs. Bishops life amongst us it Is al
most needless TO speak. TWAS like an open
book which all might read. Noundertak-
ing for the advancement of culture OF for
charitable objects failed to find il her a
ready helping hand
Many and varied We're the institutions
with winch she was connected. Kawaia-
hao Church has received much substantial
help from her She was Vice President of
the Strangers Friend Society; for many
years she was a member of the Executive
COMMITTEE of the Amateur Musical Soci-
ETY.. just before the death of Kameha=
meha V, it was his wish to appoint Mrs.
Bishop as his successor. but She refused
the position, and no persuasion would make
her accept it, though she would have
adorned throne, as she adorned her phi
vate sphere.
Mrs. Bishop was greatly interested in
all educational matters, especially IN such
schools as were devoted to the care of
young Hawaiian girls. Many young girls
will miss in her kind friend and faith
\ full adviser. Her love for the young was
great, and it was pretty sight, indeed, to
see her surrounded 10y group of children.
TO whose pleasure she was ministering.
fOnly five short weeks ago can we rememI
ber her thus standing on the lawn of her
residence at Waikiki. What pretty pic
ture it was. The blue Pacific stretching
TO the horizon, the tall pillars of the co.
coanut palms, the sun hecked lawn. and
this gentle woman, crowned with wreath
of white tropic flowers, tuberoses and plu-
'merias, wrought by deft baby fingers.
Iunbsnding her habitual dignity of man
ner, TO please the little ones that clamored
around her skirts. Death had then marked
her for his own, but mercifully. none
knew how near at hand the destroyer
was
II is in this gentle scene We would last
think of her who has gone. Her brilliant
social qualities, her mental gifts, her rank.
her love for her people, are all to be re
membered, but her gentleness was her
most winning characteristic, for fearless
gentleness is the most beautiful of femil
nine attractions of modestv and
love"
1t is supposed that she contracted the
seeds of her disease. cancer. during the
time she devoted herself so assiduously
TO the care of her relative. her Highness
the Princess Keelikolani. and TO the
"details of whose funeral she personallvI
attended. In April of this year. Mrs
Bishop was advised by her physician to 90
to San Francisco for change OF climate.
and for treatment if her health did not
improve. While there she underwent al
painful surgical operation This and
her illness she bore with Christian
|fortitude. In June she returned. and for
IA few brief months her friends had homes
.of her ultimate recovery. alas, to be tool
soon SO rudely broken. Around the couch
of the dylngwomana anxious hearts watched
but neither medical skill nor kindly care|
could stay the Destroyer's hand. and peace
ful and calm as her life had been. SO was
her end; at midday, on Thursday. the lastl
representative of line of noble ancestors.
the pure, womanly woman passed away.
and with her closed a'chapter in the his
tory of the Hawaiian nation.