The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-11-30

Parker Tea Like a Royal Levee.



The tea was graced by the presence
of Queen Liliuokalani. and all present
paid homage TO her as though she yet
wore the crown and carried the scep-
ter of the former monarchy of Ha-
! wall. The Queen was given a seat Of
honor in the drawing room where frag-
rant and beautiful roses in bowls were
used in profusion for decorative pur-
pose.
It was almost like an old-time royal
levee for the Hawaiian ladies were
| many of which had been laid away and
treasured since the monarchy passed
out Of existence. There were many
among the guests who paid homage TO
their former sovereign who had been
more Or less prominent in both the
Kamehameha and Kaiakaua dynasties-
Some had been ladies-in waiting to the
consort Of Kalakaua, and TO Liliuoka-
lani, his successor on the throne One
venerable lady, who was young wo-
man during the latter years of the
Kamehameha dynasty, had the honor
of being the Duke of Edinburgh's
dancing partner at the ever-memorable
ball at Iolani Palace in 1869, a ball
which is among the fondest OF treas
ured memories among the Hawaiians-
A few who sat or stood near the
Queen were descendants of the most
powerful chiefs and chiefesses sur
rounding Kameha meha the Great. and
before his career began exercised an
all-powerful influence in shaping the
destinies of the Hawaiian people. Many
of these ladies had assisted in the en-
tertainment of representatives of for
eign governments when the monarchy
OF Hawaii was at the zenith Of its
glory, for Iolani Palace was visited
by princes, peers and statesmen of al
most every nation on the globe, and,
being in attendance on the king and
queen, they had the privilege of meet
ing the distinguished visitors in the
royal presence.
THE old-time Hawaiian gentry from
Diamond Head to KaHhi, from the Nu-
uanu to the sea, are here" commented
the Queen as she waved her fan toward
the assemblage.
Not in years, and, perhaps. not since
the monarchy became a thing of the /
past, have so many and priceless lei
huIus been observed in a similar gath |
ering The leihulu or feather neck :
wreath was formerly a mark Of rank I
III the old times. Some of these wreaths !
have been worn by generation after i
generation and some were old even
when the Kamehameha dynasty had its
beginning. Some wreaths belonged to
the collection of Queen Emma and
many of these were known to be OF
great age. The feathers Of which they
are composed were from birds long
since extinct in Hawaii. These lei
hulus are almost as priceless, rela-
lively, as the feather cloaks now re-
posing in the Bishop Museum.
In keeping with the idea of a former
royal levee, although, this of course
was far from being the purpose of the
hostess, was the presence of Hon. Ed
ward Lilikalani who received the guests
at the entrance with his old-time :
courtly grace Despite the inclemency
Of the weather about 800 ladies were
present. The refreshments were dain-
y. comprising many delicacies and J
punch.
The tea was given by Mrs. Parker I
n honor of the birthday of Miss Muriel
Campbell. Mrs. Parker was assisted
oy Mrs. Walter MacfarIane. A dance 1
n honor Of Miss Campbell will be
given this evening