The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-03-09
A BEAUTIFUL HOME.
The Charming Surroundings Of Ar.
and Mrs. CIeghOrn's Residence.

= One of the most charming residences il
4 the envirens Of Honolulu is that of the Hon
A. s. Cleghorn, at Waikiki. Mr.. CleghorI
| began identifying this place in 1873, intend
/ ing it for a summer residence, but since thai
time it has grown to be a home for himself
and his amiable consort, H. r. II. Princess
Likelike, and their pretty daughter and
only child. the Princess Victoria, now
nearly ten years Of age. There was moth
ing growing on the grounds except grove
of cocoanut palms, some of which are over
! 300 years ola, venerable han tree, and a
| tamarind, one of the first planted on These
islands, its senior being the one standing in
the grounds Of the British Club, on Richard
street. Mr.. Cleghorn, who inherits strong
love for arboriculture from his father, com
menced by planting cocoanuts, and there is
now fine shady grove of these noble trees,
some of which have come into bearing.
The approach to the cottages in which the
family reside is by an avenue from the
Waikiki road on each side of which are gay
crotons and variety of vines and towering
plants. The veranda of the main cottage is
screened from the afternoon sun by trellis
covered with Mexican creeper and other
graceful vines, and at each corner of the
dwelling is a fine specimen of the royal
palm. The tamarind tree mentioned above
stands alone beside the driveway, its COM
pact foliage and brown pendulous pods Of
fruit making striking object. Behind the
cottage rises the light feathery foliage Of
numerous irOn-wood trees. In front of the
cottage, on the opposite side of the drive
way, is a broad belt of coleas. Beyond this
bright belt of color is a choice group Of
plants and palms, and still further on,
shading an area of at least 100 feet in dame
ter, is magnificent specimen of the Ficus
religioSG, or Banyan tree of India. Massive
branches spring from its compound trunk,
and spread to a wide distance, covered with
broad glossy leaves, that make dense and
grateful shade. Beneath this tree are placed
cOmfortabl eseats, where, on hot afternoon,
may be found delightful repose.
Between the main cottage and another
building, shut in all around by Venetian
blinds, is q group of fine roses, among
which is noticeable the delicate pink of the
Likelike rose, grown from seed, and named
in honor of Her Royal Highness. Still fur
Their on is fine specimen of an ancient Ha
waiian grass-house, which is now carefully
preserved as an example of style Of house
building fast vanishing from the islands.
The extensive grounds surrounding the cot
tages are planted with a great variety Of
ornamental trees and plants. There is
fine specimen of PhOrmiuDl te1saE, or New
Zealand fax, which proves, by its health
and vigorous growth that this valuable fibre
plant would do well on these islands.
The fish pond is filed with gold fish and
turtle. There is a pretty rockery covered
with ferns, and kept moist by the spray
from a fountain in its center. There are
arbors over which trail vines covered with
brilliant blossoms and set here and there
along the shady walks are large vases con-
tanning choice plants. Queer, grim china
monsters, half dog. half dragon, look with 3
stony glare from out the shrubbery. The
plumage of peacocks vie with flowers in
charming the eye, and fowls of all kinds,
with futterlng doves, animate the scene.
1t is this delightful home that Mr.. and
Mrs. Cleghorn have made on the broad
plains of Waikiki. 1t is here that Mr..
Cleghorn has shown what can be done by
com bining taste and judgment in arbor-
iculture with perseverance and much
personal toll, to make place beautiful.
And in the flower gardens, Her Royal High
ness delights to care for the more delicate
and charming plants and shrubs. Her
daughter, the young Princess, is being edu-
Gated in the midst of these beautiful sur
roundings and while she is taught the
graces of the drawing room in the weekly
informal receptions held by her royal
mother every Thursday in the parlors of
her home, she has always about her the
beauties of cultivated nature. and is develop
ing more and more that most charming
characteristic of gentle, refined woman
hood, love for foliage and flowers.