The sun., 1891-01-23
In Memory OF King Kalnkaua.

There is no man In the world In whose hear,
deeper chord Of sympathy will be struck ovei
the death Of the lamented King than In that oil
his devoted friend. Albert Cummins. Very few
outside Of tho Hawaiian Islands. or those who
have visited them. have ever heard this man's
name. yet he played the most important parI
In their history and IN the election OF the de.
missed monarch. Not only was he his trusst
and most devoted friend, but his very SOU
seemed to belong to him. The love OF Cum.
minis for Kalakaua was more than friendship
1t was blind and unreserved devotion. the de.
walton OF a slave to his master.
After the death OF Ka-meha-meha, Cum.
Minis tried to raise Kslakaua then q modes,
clerk in the Post Oflce OF Honolulu. to the
dignity OF the throne. but the easy.going. all.
popular Lunalilo stood In his way. and
Cummins had to blde his time. There was nc
use kicking against tho populacs. Everybody
knew thIt the heir to the throne was rake
and feeble minded. yet he had tho voice OF the
people, and It was impossible to stem the ava
lanche. Lunalilo was crowned. and Kalakaua
had to remain in the Post ONCE until further or.
ders. But Cummins knew It was not long be.
fore tho orders would coms.
After few years easy-going reign. Luna
lilo died. and Cummins's chance arrived.
Then he logan his great fight against Qu een
Emma's faction. and. with the assistance Of the
American contingent, raised his idol to the
throne, From now tho prosperity OF tho islands,
whicn had but slumbered during the late
reign began 10 revive and tho sngnr interest
once more took m enormous stride.
world. No doubt Col. Spreckels played nm
important part In this: so did the progressive
reciprocity policy OF the United States: but
Cummins now became the right hand OF Kala-
kaua. Ho was not only his private advisor
and friend. but also his mentor. Few people
outside OF tho islands know the influence OF
Cummins in politics rs we'll as In social mat
tors. While Kalaknun lent his car to his
Ministers, his heart belonged to Cummins.
The happiest hours Of the day were spent at
the latters sugar ranch. where all the Huus
and entertainments OF tho King took place.
Rarely did he mako his palace q resort for
such enjoyments. that was too stately man.
sion; but his little cottage on the south side OF
the island. on Cnmminss ranch. was his resort
for pleasure. No distinguished visitors ever
vlslted Honolulu without having been enter
tanned at the Kings instigation. at Cum mins'a
home. Here the roal Kanaka character do
veloped itself. Good tempered. light henrted,
and pleasure loving, the enjoyment OF life was
here represented. Tho characteristic Hula
dance was horo performed under the eyo OF
the King. and he looked with pride and roas-
urs upon his national artists.
remember OH ono oc aston wien tho King
In honor OF my Witt, gave me Huln n, Cum
Minis 8. and asked me 70 !oal u li.te sha& Q.
speare to his guests an merry -nakeis. upon
which ] smiled and OK rsssed the opin that
1t Was doubtful whether it would edify lhem
Tho King curtly answered, We'll. Bandmann
II II doesn't do them any good ! am sure /,
won't do them any harm" read the solilouuy
OF Hamlet and tie scene OF Upheiia. aud. to
my surprise. mover had a more attentive an.
diencc. They seemed 10 have dlyosted thoni.
selves OF all the pirouettes. grotesquo AZ gles
turns. and motions o. their sensuous dance
and to devote their entire attention 10 the mas.
ter mind Of the immortal bard. Extremes
meet. and never saw them meet moro sud
denly and effectively.
Tho King was noble EertlemNn In every
sense OF tho word kind and generous to a
fault. atfabe and genial as a host and scholarly
10 q great oxtont. In his palace nrrayed in a
plain white flannel suit, he howcd tho dignity
which without os,entat!on and display, proved
him 20 bs "every iucli king His death will
be deeply felt by eycry glObe-troiter who stops
great-hearted, now broken-down friend, the
King maker. Albert Cummins. .,
pANIEL L. BASDMASN.