The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-03-01
PROF. ALEXANDER'S History.
AN IMPORTANT WORK.
(Continued.)

In the space allotted Us we can
give but the briefest notice of few of
the most interesting points of Prof.
Alexander's History. The islands
now constituting the Hawaiian King
dom were named from the Earl of
Sandwich, First Lord of the Admi
rally at the time Of their discovery
Their position, extent, surface, and
climate, contrast with coral islands.
Soil, animals and plants are briefly
alluded to, after which the origin,
and the Polynesian and Malaysan
afinities Of the Hawaiian people are
discussed. Prof. Alexander's views
on these subjects will be read with
interest because OF the various con
fieting opinions that have been ex-
pressed concerning them. He con-
eedes that the origin OF the Hawaiian
race "ean not yet be fully solved"
but he expresses the belief that the
island of Savaii, one of the Samoan
group, was the 'chief center of dis
pergion for the Polynesian race" He
defines this race as made up Of the
inhabitants Of all the group OF ISL
ands in the Eastern Pacific, from
New Zealand to Hawaii and also to
Easter Island, scattered over dis
lance Of four thousand miles" Their
languages, physical features, man
ners and customs, system Of tabus,
traditions and religious rites, are
substantially the same, and therefore
point to common origin. The Poly
uesian language, again, Is closely
allied TO those spoken IN Micronesia,
the Philippine Islands, the Malay
Archipelago and Madagascar Two
distinct periods OF emigration to the
Hawaiian Islands are alluded to.
Human bones under ancient coral
beds and lava flows are named as
establishing the early arrival of the
first settlers, which, according TO
Judge Fernandez, Is placed as early
as A. D. 500. After reference to the
legend Of the discovery or the islands
by Hawaii loa, and 70 Wakea and
Papa as the founders Of the lines OF
chiefs, it Is asserted that scarcely
any other traditions have come down
to Us relating to the earliest prehis-
torie period, its only reminders being
a number Of great works, such as
certain heiaus (temples) and the
great fsh-ponds on the Molokai
ooaa& cr1 nfzauharc
CHAPTERS ". and Y. relate respec-
lively to the ancient Civil Polity"
and Civil Polity and Domestic Re-
lations." The people we're anciently
divided into three classes-the no
bility, the priests, and the common
people,-the functions Of each being
carefully noted. Reference Is then
made to the ancient system Of land
tenure and taxes, as we'll as 70 slaves,
wars, weapons, forts, battles, sea
fights, treaties, marriage as affecting
rank, wedding ceremonies, infanti-
eide, and the neglect OF the helpless.
Chapters VI. to XII. are deeply in
teresting, and relate to objects Of
worship, idols aud temples cere-
monial system, dedication OF tenn
Die and Makahiki festival private
worship, sorcery and divination !;
funeral rites, and the doctrine Of
future state. To Darrete the essen
tial points relating TO these would
only be repeating the words OF the
text exactly as they stand, for Prof.
Alexander speaks directly 70 the
point without waste Of words. a
chapter on the Arts and Msnufac
lures treats OF ancient tools, agri-
culture, fishing, hooks, nets, fish,
poison, canoes, houses, furniture,
mats, lights, clothing, dress, orIa-
ments, helmets, feather cloaks, ka-
hills, and tattooing. The first chap
ter Of part first, on Customs and
.AIausements," describing the ancient
method OF cooking, the manufacture
of ava barter, games and sports, the
musical instruments called vls7s and
ktoki1, drums, and poetry. The Ha-
Eaiian poems (Dss}zs) consisted chiefly
III Of religions chants, prayers and
prophecies, ~ Of In>as or name-songs