The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-03-22

in the "Paradisc OF the Pa
cfc," and crop up on all occasions.
The Sovereign, to he sure, is never
forgottcn--in in fact, il treated with
certain kind of consideration not |
usual in monarchical countries for
here someone is expected to respond
for His Majesty. This is an inno-
vation purely Hawaiian. In John
Bulls dominiuns the only response
to the Queens health is the national
anthem. Her Majesty is not con-
sidered proper subject for after
dinner discussion and for the very
good reason, that in her public ca
pacity her acts and doings are sim
ply those of her constitutional adj
visers, by which relation she is re.
leased from accountability, and her
name therefore held sacred at ban
ouet. The toast is introduced as an
expression of loyalty, and not as q
topic of talk. The same reason for
the same custom exists in this king
dom. Then why not be induced by
it to adopt the same course of pro.
ccdurc! Was the innovation consid-
cred by its author to he an improve
mcnt and generally accepted as
such; Or, was it made inlignorance
by someone who didn't know any
better, and in the same way became
the regular custom? Probably the
latter. ANYHOW, we had better drop
it, il only because 1t makes us ap-
pear little ridiculous IN the eyes of
foreign visitors.
Occasionally, and very OCCASION
ally, we hear an after dinner speech
that is really instructive and enter
tanning, or entertaining without be-
ing instructive. But generally
speaking these productions arc made
up of stuff that is simply sickcning,
and would disturb the stomach Of q
| iackass. unless well fortified with
strong drink. When men nhave thor
oughly we'll hincd, and filed the in
terstices with beer and champagne,
so that they are utterly tight and
full to overlooking. their heads alone
empty, then is the very hour of in
spiration, when words of strange
wisdom seem forced out of their un-
derstanding by the pressure of
strong meat and drink. Their
minds disdaln the common drudgery
of cveryday-life, and soar far aloft
into the blue cmpyrean of bunkum.
Men ordinarily sensible and rcticent
take on state of involuntary Gzz,
and cffcrvcsce with volubility from
top to toe. Then comes the fluent
gush of emptiness, the clattcr OF
conventional phrases, the sillies'
variety of fiddle faddle, and hogs
heads of maudlin compliments; anC
everybody hammers the table, plates
and glasses with knives and forks
and stamps the floor like maniac
The roll of rhetoric and the rusf
of eloquence may now and then, a
ra,e intervals, get chance to take
wind by the inspiration affecting ;
subject in peculiar way. The i'm
bilied spirit moves him to make ;
speech. lie rises to his feet, bu
only says, "Mr. Chairman and gen
tcmcn, gentlemen, Mr.. Chairman,
gets red in the face, starcs hard n
the lights, and sits down again. |
he is Il well-to-do man, or as the vul
gar say, ''some pumpkins" tn
company cheer greatly. Neve
mind if he said nothing; they kno'
what he intended to say, and al
plaud his view of the question; an
, no man at the table can deny tina
the gentleman sentiments are unol
, jectionablc, and such as to do homo
to his feelings and credit to the occc
sion, and so on.
$ 1t must he confessed that the il
c tellectual sterility OF the talking o
= these occasions is sometimes in
. measure agrecably relieved by
r good song acceptably sung. VI
C that is commodity not exactly
1 be expected. 1t may come, or
r may not. If it should turn up, a
: the better. Songs and singing, yes
n they are plentiful, and always to /
: had; hut seldom Of the class con
ing under the above description
@ The power that generates vocifero'
n and empty speechifying is not geI
r orally prolific of the most music
4 yocolizotion. The sjnUinp is most