Washington sentinel., 1898-02-26
a snnth Sea Pnrnnlss.
Il. E Pollock, ia Me "SaN Francisco
News Letter"


parent water, in whose lucid depths
sport myriads Of funny dwarfs, no
less dazzling in their brilliant col.
orings than the coral gardens which
carpet the expanse below them; a
long, low stretch of beach, bor-
dered with lofty palms, incline
gracefully IN their various angles,
interspersed by numerous thatched
roofs, extending far over the gables
OF the native hamlets; bright,
cheerful rows of cottages shaded
by majestic trees; all background
by slSyward miles OF savage rocks,
whose tops break into bold crags,
the whole presenting a restiul har-
mony in browns and grays. This
is Tahiti, the paradise of the Paci-
&c. Hidden by the spreading
branches of bread fruit trees, Pa
peete, its capital, stretches grace
fully along the beach and extends
back to the foothills, the most
beautiful spot in the great "milky
way OF the ocean," Beheld from
the deck of the incoming mail, the
picture is strikingly pretty and
restful to the eye. Along the sward
stroll bevies of dark eyed girls at
tired in light muslins, with here
and there a gaudy shawl giving
color to the view; down the beach
the 1.-the, lean lads canter their
ponies, looking, as they dash by,
tor approving glanceS from their
elders, who squat upon the ground
or lean against the trunks of tall
palms, in listless dres miness, at
peace with themselves and the
world.
In the distance Morea, Tahiti's
sister island, looms grandly up
against a background OF amber and
gold. AS evening falls the sky as
sumes an even tint of dark metallic
blue, in whose depths twinkle the
stars; growing indistlnct, Morea
fades away into the gathering dark
ness, and twilight prevails. Above
the cocoanut palms, silhouetted
against the sky, raises the moon,
and darts its shimmering rays
across the water to where the ships
in the gloom ride at anchor.
Brawny natives in their slim canoes
dart between them on their way to
the fishing grounds, as the belfry
chime sounds the hour of seven.
Down the byways leading to the
market place, in groups and singly,
come the natives. Finished with
their evening meal, they gather to
gossip, drink, dance, sing, and
make merry. About the fountain
they congregate in groups, and
chant their peculiar, mona otonous
music, while a bronzed "Othello"
ladens the air with the wailing
strains of an ACCORDION or har
monica, mingling its dIrge with the
drip of fthe fountain. Peals OF bib.
ulous hilarity come from restau-
rants and saloons in the Spanish
like edIhces which surround the
square. Shy damsels promenade
with their lovers, exchanging the
same old secrets.
Thus the evening passes, and
the "curfew' tells the hour OF ten,
being lawful time for all merry
makers to disperse to their respec-
tive abodeS. A tew moments, and
the last straggler passes from view.
The rising moon, mellow and radi-
ant, fills the air with a magical
light, and the silence is unbroken
save by the ceaseless pounding of |
the ocean upon its coral barrier,
sending a hollow, rolling boom
over the pallid sea. Along the
roads the street lanterns scintillate
like stars Of the first magnitude, |
casting their rays IN wavering |
shadows that vanish into darkness. |
The twinkling stars have dipped |
INTO the far Pacific. Golden lances
pierce the haze over the hills, and |
The sun shines bright Ter the town |
Of Papeete.
1t is Sunday morning, the Tahi-
-ienne's jubilee day. when the feast |
rules the hour and the rum bottle
IS king. From all the surround |
ng country and neighboring viii
ages, groups of girls in holiday |
Mother Hubbard gowns and flower
hats; and chocolate
,olored men, attIred in gay colored |
singlets and parens, pass each
other on the way to town. The
market place is thronged with peo-
pie, procuring supplies for the
days teasting, or sitting by the
ountain and gossiping in the
cheerful sun. The marketing fin
shed and the news all told, the
oronzed gathering disperses, wend-
ng their way to their various
launts to pass the day in exhilar-
ltinG their spirits in the flowing
BOWL.
The Tahiti maid passes by, tall,
stately, with the modesty of Cas-
ilian, and walking like a queen.
Besides personal charms that
night awaken the slumbering pas
iions of an anchorite, she possesses
he most exquisite gifts. Her coun-
enance is expressive, and her dark,
iparkling eyes beam with intelli-
sence. Her hair is like jet, and
glossy as a ravens plume. The
warm sun OF ages has tinged her
heck with hue OF brown, but her
is as clear as the trop-
cal sky above her. Her compsn-
on walks by her sIde-with meas
lred dignity. His finely formed,
manly person, his darker complex
on, and stately bearing, make a
ittin0 contrast to her softer charms.