The times., 1899-07-23
A Book About Hawaii.

In ''The Making of Hawaii" by Prof
William Fremont Blackman, of Yale Uni
versity. we have what the author calls "a
study in social evolution" 1t is a compre-
hensiye, though not prolix, history of the
| islands, in which particular attention is
paid TO the character and evolution of the
Hawaiian people, and some of the untrust-
worthy information which has been afioat
in regard to the country is refuted by other
facts cited on good authority.
According TO Prof. Blackman, the evo-
luton Of the native Hawaiian character is
due primarily 10 climate, and from what
he says the character of these islanders
would seem to be a most striking example
Of the influence of climate and circum-
stances on the human character. physique
social institutions, and even morals.
The lack OF predatory animals favored
the development of a gentle and more or
less indolent character, since the people
had no need for fear or anxiety with regard
to hocks and children, nor had they need
for strong defences against prowling ami
mails or foes in human form. The only do
nestle animals found in the islands by
Captain Cook were the hog. the dog, and
the domestic fowl, and this fact again
modified the Hawaiian physique, since, un-
til 4 comparatively recent time, flesh was
commodity too rare for any but the
chiefs. The difference between the chiefs
and their families and the common people
was so marked that some ethnologists have
been inclined TO believe the former the
descendants of a conquering race, but Prof
Blackman inclines rather to the idea that
their superior physique was developed by
centuries Of more nutritious and abundant
food. and by the habit of command. He
sums up the character of the primitive
Hawaiians after this manner:
The early Hawaiians appear to have had an
inquistiye disposition. marking their superior
ity over such incurious peoples as the Fuegians
and Bushmcn; acutencss OF sense and powers of
observation Of high grade, though inferior TO
those Of many hunting races; an intellect MIN
bic and surprisingly apt in acquiring the power
10 read and to solve mathematical problems;
considerable imaginative subtlety, seen in the
development Of their cosmogony and Pantheon
OF gods; the usual relative inability OF prmi-
tive peoples to form abstract ideas follow logi-
cal processes, and trace effects TO their ultimate
obscure causes decided poetical and oratorical
ability coupled with great power TO mimic and
to memorize; a nature frank, impulsiyc, volatile
eareless, mirthiul, hospitable yet often pitiless
mild yet passionate, gregarious, indoent, though
capable of great and sustained exertion, and
happily forced into degree OF industry unusual
within the tropics by the comparative infertility
Of considerable areas Of the sell.
While admitting the degradation OF GER
tain phases Of the Hawaiian social life,
Prof. Blackman is inclined TO believe that
some. at least, OF the vices attributed to
the natives came into being through the
Influence of white men. II should be re-
membered that until about 100 years ago
indeed, until within two generations
there was little gentieness In the dealing
OF European with savage or primitive
races. The former believed himself TO
have sort OF divine right net only to