The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-01-08
STORY OF HAWAII
John R. MlSick'S History Has
Been Published.
A LOCAL HOUSE HAS AGENCY
Chiefly for Circulation in the Unit
ed States - Notes From Pros
pectus Titles of Chapters.

Prof. John R. Musick's long promised
book on Hawaii has at last been pub
lished by the great house of Funk &
| Wagnalls. Advance copies and sub
scriptiOn lists have been received here
by the Hawaiian News Company An
agent of that house is abroad now sell
| ing the book 1t will be taken quite
readily here by those who keep up with
Island literature of the day and follow
the history of the group. The work is
| intended of course mainly for circula-
ton in the United States, where it is
expected to have a big sale. That the
first large edition is almost gone over
there, is reported already.
The book has more than 500 pages
and is profusely illustrated with half
tones from photographs and process
cut from pen and ink sketches. There
are of course many of the old familiar
scenic subjects, but a few new ones
have been neatly introduced. Some of
the cuts are on the margin. The blind
reed blower Of Hilo is one of these.
There is much Of the book that is mar
rative and descriptive. There is a
story of the overthrow and of the
Royalist revolution of 1895. Professor
Musick was here many months and be-
came acquainted with the locale. For
that reason he has been able to put
forth in America a book that is reason
ably correct in it's presentation of facts
and conditions Following are extracts
from the American prospectus of the
work:
An accurate and entertaining story
of the new Hawaii, containing the
latest information on every feature of
this interesting country; its people
their customs, mythology, folklore,
etc.; its institutiOns-social, religious,
Industrial educational, and mercantile;
it's history, both past and present
showing the varied changes from the
days of Spanish Pirates and Captain
Cook to the Present Constitution; it's
nature marvels-the stately mountains,
the great volcano, the fertile valleys,
and the broad bays and harbors The
author has gathered his information
first hand from extended travels over
the Islands.
ct is a book that should be read
Nv A orr vhO hn
oughly well-informed regarding these
Islands that may soon become part Of
our own domain. It presents clear ac-
counts of the overthrow of the Mon
archy and the establishment of the
Republic, of the character and condi-
ton of the people, their resources,
their system Of education, and their
views regarding annexation. Such a
book is especially Opportune at this
time, when annexation is expected in
the near future.
"The author is a good trave-er and
he knows how to tell the story Of his
travels in a Straightforward, animated,
and pleasing way. He visited every
Island in the Hawaiian group, and has
wildly sketched their various charac-
teristics and resources. Hawaii itself,
with it's pretty, busy capital (HOnolu-
| lu. the sugar and coffee plantations,
the great and dread volcano of Kilau-
ca. the sunny valleys and beautiful
cataracts, the leper Island of Molokai,
| the coral reefs with surf breaking in
| thunder upon them, the rich tropical
vegetation and fruits are described in
| a. way to lead one on with constant de-
| sire to know more Of this land of sum
shine and flowers.
Though many books have been
written about the Hawaiian Islands, no
| American volume has appeared since
the recent change in the order Of things
there. With all that has been publish
ed in books and the columns of the
newspapers about Hawaii. people in
our Eastern and Middle States know
comparatively little about this country.
| That there exists in the world pace
where
mo chilling winds, nor poisonous
breath,
can come, may seem impossible. And
vet this is true of Hawaii, for there
are no poisonous reptiles or insects
and few poisonous plants in the whole
group of Islands. The delightful elm
ate, the indispensable scenery, the
healthfulness and beauty of these Isl
and entitle them to the name Of Para
disc of the Pacific. They are a,so o.
great agricultural and commercial i'm
portance The interchange of com
merce between the Islands and thi:
country is valued at fifteen million dol
,ars per annum. and could be increased
to seventy-five millions, Or perhaps {
hundred Only one-fourth Of the agri
cultural lands Of the Islands are il
cultivation. There are about one hun
dred thousand inhabitants on the Isl
ands, while they are capable of sup
porting in comfort half million o.
more
while they lack the historical in
terest of Southern Europe, they ar,
said to surpass it in natura
scenery. Small as they are, the great
est active volcano in the world i
cano in the world. The people are no
savages, and nowhere is life and prop
erty more safe. Under the new socia
and political order of things Hawai-
| 4o1 4