The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-08-12
FROM HONOLULU.
The First Letter Sent by Miss
Virginia Calhoun.
HONOLULU, July 20, 1892.

from the dear Garden City of Cali.
fornia, and am now located in the
Capital City (Honolulu) Of the "Pa.
radise of the Pacific" cannot re.
fraln from sending you a few lines
of reconteur, but l am not sure that
it will be In the studied style and
easy manner in which somewhat
like trip was related not long ago In
the columns Of the dear old Mercury
and the tale as told is not forgotten
here; in fact / find that some of the
young gentlemen refer with much
pleasure to Editor ShortrIdge's brief
stay amongst them, and many OIL
the elderly and more staid residents
speak with praise of the accounts
published OF that season In the mid
Pacific kingdom.
Your protege arrived safely in
Honolulu on the morning of the 18th
and since then to date 1t has been a
constant series of receptions, calls,
drives, etc., until / know not
what 1 agree to or reject. Already
have said ayes" to at least six
young gentlemen on the same in
vitation, and on my recovering my
senses and discovering my errors ]
have been as quickly again in like
confusion by another complicated
series of engagements.
The representative of Mercury
has been gloriously entertained and
greatly patronized, and, as / learn
from reliable sources, it is mainly
because the reputation of the Mer-
curry is established here as the one
paper out of many which has given
pleasure to the Island people, in re-
turn for Inequalities extended and
received, by appreciated relation of
its beautiful scenery, its unsurpassed
climate and its many wonders. The
Hawaiian Hotel has been my
domicile since arrival and, like the
other guests with which the hos
telry is at present filed, the location,
management and other accessories
are very pleasant and much appre-
ciated. I have climbed the winding
path that leads to the top of the
famed Punchbowl and gazed upon
the far waters of the Pacific and the
nearer tree EMPOWERED city at my
feet; have seen and trampled on
the sands at Waikiki, visited the
Kings grove of cocoanuts, Mrs.
Wards magnificent grove of like
fruit, the far-famed Pail and other
places which my poor brain fails
now to bring to memory.
Thanking the kindness of w. G.
Ashley, Superintendent of the Oahu
Railroad, your representative was
given a most delightful trip to the
famous Eva sugar mill and planta.
ton, and through the kindness of
Mrs. Swan and Mrs. Ward, who re-
present the best old families of
Honolulu, she had most delight
full call upon the distinguished
Queen Dowager (Kapiolani) and His
Royal Highness Prince David. The
Queen Dowager is a most interest
ing old lady, even through the
interpreters. Here / saw for the
first time the Royal Kahili and the
feather cape of yellow feathers worn
by royalty on state occasions. Mrs.
Swan showed us also the private
chamber, to which other visitors
were but rarely admitted. The
outer coverings of the bed and pill
lows were made of chicken feathers.
The pictures of the royal families of
Hawaii decorated the walls.
On the 18th, by kindness of Her
Majesty's Chamberlain, Major the
Hon. J. w. Robertson, a number
of ladies had audience with Her
Majesty Queen Liliuokolani at
her paIatial Home in Washington
Square. BY special invitation the.
Mercury's protege was present
and was presented. Afterward we
went in party to the palace and
are shown the Throne Room, Blue
Room, library and many curios in
feather cloaks of ancien kings,
kahilis, tapas and rare and valued
idols. Major Robertson was most
kind to me during the visit, taking
special interest in my obtaining pro-
per and correct knowledge of the
many things which Isaw and will
write you about when / have time,
If ever do while here. En- PEASANT,
let me say that all is peace and quiet
and harmony in this hlnccnd ieIa nf
the sea at present, and although the
legislature is now in session there is
less turmoil than in that ever SOM
nolent city of Sacramento. To-day,
with just faint idea where I am
going, / board the steamer Kinau
Tor the Volcano and j hope that
will be able, during the sea voyage
to reorganize my disordered state of
mind and find time to think. This
| have not satisfactorily been able
to do since my advent here, a con-
tinuous high pressure speed being
necessary to keep from going under
In the hospitable maelstrom formed
by the good people of Honolulu.
do not attempt to describe anything
IN this letter, but merely send it as
a token of Aloha and remembrance
to the many readers of the Mer-
curry who have proved such gener.
Gus friends and enabled me to bask
for a season in this land of sunshine,
showers and flowers. In my next
letter which will ho a oox,oroo,.oo