The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-04-12
STEVENSON
AND HYDE
Old Controversy
a Lecture
Theme.
CRITICISM By MRS.
MABEL WlNGCASTLE
Address at Y. w. G. A. Contain
ing Some Personal Views Of
a Famous Incident.

a. 0BERT LOUIS STEvENSON'S
X life in Honolulu and his eontro-
versy arising out Of the published
letter to DIR. Hyde relative to Fa-
Their Damien, the martyr PRIEST OF Mo-
lokai, were graphically described yes
terday afternoon in a twenty minute
address given in the parlors of the
Young women's Christian Association.
The tale of Stevenson's career here
was so pleasantly told by Mrs. Castle
that it is possible that the same lee
ture may again be given that others
may hear and enjoy it. The story COW
cred Stevenson's cruise to Hawaii from
the mainland to strengthen his lungs.
his visit to King Kalakaua and his
present of yellow pearl and a sonnet
to the monarch.
The description OF the Henry Poore
residence at Waikiki where Stevenson
lived and as he told 1t, was especially
interesting Stevenson's verses to Kali
ulani were retold. showing that the lit
tie princess had won his love and adj
miration. Mrs. Castle described Ste
venson as he was when he breakfasted
with the king, a man of IS poInds.
hollow chested, his face framed with
lank long hair, burning eyes, wearing
the famous velvet coat. He liked Ho-
nolulu, but yet he felt it was oppressed
by civilization and he longed for more
OF the picturesqueness of the islands
of the South Seas.
1t was his visit to Mololxai and his
criticism and estimate of Father Da-
mien which ultimately proved thorn
in Stevenson's side. After leaving Ho-
nolulu for Samoa 1t became necessary
for him to go tos Sydney to catch up
with his letters and funds. and almost
Immediately upon landing Stevenson
came across in a newspaper a letter OF
DR. Hyde's, of Honolulu, containing his
views of Father Damien. Although the
traits ascribed to Damien were similar
to those already noted by Stevenson.
the latter at once undertook Father
Damien's defense. The lecturer stated
that Stevenson replied to DIR. Hyde in
a hasty public letter which he publish
ed in pamphlet form in Sydney. and
later in six-column article in Scotch
newspaper. A few months before this
personal letter of his own had been
published without his knowledge and
he had complained: How disagreeable
it is to have your private affairs and
private unguarded expressions getting
into print, 1t would soon sicken any
one of writing letters"
Mrs Castle thought that If Stevenson
could have known that DR.. Hyde's let
ter was private, how different the re-
suit might have been. Then he would
have remembered his own discomfort
under similar circumstances.
Il should prefer to pass over this
episode in silence" said Mrs. Castle,
but i may not do so, because 1t be-
longs to Stevenson's Honolulu history.
and involves some of his Honolulu
friends, who were alienated by this
action. To censure Stevenson is a
thanKless task-of that am well
aware, so widely is he known and loved
but it is a task I may not shirk, IL
would be just no less to Stevenson than
to our late fellow townsman, DIR. hyde
Every piece OF writing, once in print
has TO be tried at the worlds bar OK
literary criticism, has to be judged on
Its merits. Consequently, Stevenson
was justified in taking exceptions to
Dr. Hydes conclusions, if he saw nj.
If this were all, he might be supported
in his defense of Father Damien, melo-
dramatic as it is. In legal pleading,
however, the world demands knowl-
edge of the circumstances Of the case
TO be tried, and, in dealing with 1t, fair
ness, logic and adherence to facts. In
all these points,-knowledge Fairness
logic and adherence to facts-l am
forced to admit that Stevenson's let
ter is somewhat lacking. There is also
a literary charge to prefer against him
and a gross one too. for SO thorough
an artist, namely, that the letter Is
lacking in proportion and in the quality
Of restraint, the first Of literary viz
tues.