86 VISIT FROM THE KING. the former instance; on which, Kalaimoku laughingly said to Mr. Ellis, "You see that fellow still belongs to the forecastle, he has turned his cup up again!" -- There were many other high chiefs present: Boki, governor of Oahu, the brother of Pitt, and Liliha his wife; Naihe, the national orator, or hereditary speaker in the councils of the chiefs; Kaikioewa, the guardian of the young prince, with Kapiolani and Keaweamahi their wives; Hoapili, the husband of Keopuolani, and step-father of the king; Naihi Kukui, or captain Jack, as he is familiarly called, the commander of the native fleet; with many other inferior chiefs of both sexes. We remained more than an hour, during which our public papers were presented, our commission from the Misrionary Society, instructions, and certificates of American citizenship; each one of us then made some present of trifling value, such as a silver pencil-case, &c. &c. to different individuals in the group; and took our leave, satisfied with our reception, and the general kindness manifested towards us. Friday, May 2. We have to-day been favored with a visit from his majesty. At one o'clock, Kehikili, a chief of rank, and a punahele or intimate companion of the king, came on board the Thames, to apprise us of the intended honor. About two hours afterwards, Liholiho, and Kinau one of his queens, a sister of Kameha-malu, and Kalaimoku, with a crowd of attendants, made their appearance on the stone quay. The boats of our ship were immediately lowered, and brought them on board under flying colors and a salute. I could scarce believe the king to be the same man whom, as the intoxicated Indian, I had seen with disgust three days before. He was perfectly sober, and in fine health and spirits. There is nothing particu larly striking in his countenance, but his figure is noble, perhaps more so than that of any other chief; his manners polite and easy, and his whole deportment that of a gentleman. Both himself and minister were drest in full suits of handsome broadcloth of navy blue, well fitted, and fashionably made; with round beaver hats and Wellington boots. The party remained about two hours, and, after partaking of some refreshments, left the ship under an LETTER OF LIHOLIHO. 87 other salute. We have also had a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Bingham, and Mrs. Loomis. May 3. The king has very handsomely expressed his good will to the mission by refusing to take the customary harbor fees from the commander of the Thames. Captain Clasby has received the following letter from him on the subject: Aloha oe. E. CAPT. CLASBY. Eia kau wahi olelo ai oe. oe i kou haavi ana mai i ka kumu hou. ke ava―aole akahi. Maikai no Aole oe e uku i Aloha ino oe. LIHOLIHO IOLANI. TO CAPTAIN CLASBY. Love to you. This is my communication to you. You have done well in bringing hither the new teachers. LIHOLIHO IOLANI. He remitted the harbor-fees in like manner on the arrival of Mr. Ellis from the Society Islands; making a sum of one hundred and sixty dollars, which, in the course of three months, he has generously relinquished from a regard to the mission. Iolani is a favorite name which he often attaches to his common signature. Monday, 5. The Sabbath was distinguished by the reception of the reinforcement into the mission church; by the administration of the Lord's Supper; and by the baptism of our son. The hours for public worship with the natives are ten o'clock in the morning, and four o'clock in afternoon. Mr. Ellis preached in the native language in the morning to a crowded congregation, including the king and all the chiefs, from the text, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation!" At 11 o'clock, when the services mentioned above took place, Mr. Richards preached in English to a large congregation, from the words," The God 88 THE KING AND CHIEFS AT CHURCH. of Heaven, he will prosper us, therefore we his servants will arise and build." The chapel was thronged with the chiefs in rich dresses of silk, velvet, damask, satin, crape, &c., who seemed interested in the ceremonies, though scarce any of them understood a word of English. There were a large number of respectable looking foreigners also presthe whole audience making not less than four hundred gathered to this humble temple by the sound of the "church going bell," which, until within the last three ent years, "These valleys and rocks never heard." Liholiho attended all the services of the day. He was still sober, and I can readily believe what is said of him to be true when so- - that he is one of the most interesting characters in the nation. He looked remarkably well, and spent half an hour at the mission house before the worship in the chapel began. In a suit of dove-colored satin, with white satin waistcoat, silk stockings and pumps, he appeared both in dress and manners the perfect gentleman. I have been led to notice the dress of the chiefs more particularly than I might otherwise have done, from my surprise at finding such richness of material, such variety of changes in their wardrobes, and such taste in the selection and arrangement of colors; I doubt not it will be equally a surprise to our American friends. Kameha-malu saw H- and C- for the first time yesterday; she claimed C- as her own son immediately, and would let no one take him from her arms during the time she remained. She has been to see them on board the Thames already this morning, and amused herself and us by writing and reading both in English and in the Hawaiian tongue. She does not understand English, but has learned to pronounce and read it with tolerable accuracy. She is fond of study; puts her knowledge of writing to daily use, in sending notes and letters to the different missionaries and such of the chiefs as have learned to write; and is very assiduous in her efforts to make greater attainments than she has yet secured. Mission house, Monday, May 12. Early this morning, the ship so long our happy home, cleared the harbor, and DEPARTURE OF THE THAMES. 89 We watched the receding bore away upon the open sea. sail with sensations of deep feeling until she became a speck in the horizon, and for myself, I may say, until that speck wavered against the sky in the uncertainty of the distance, and was at last lost to my sight in the starting tear of a farewell benediction. We ourselves disembarked on Saturday, and became the inmates of an Indian hut within the missionary enclosure. Our friends would probably think our situation worthy of deep commiseration could they see us as we are. Our house might easily be erected in the smallest room in yours, my dear M- it being only fourteen feet long and twelve broad, three feet high at the eaves, and nine feet at the peak of the roof. It is composed of poles and a thatch of grass, in the native manner, having no floor, but the ground spread with mats; for windows three holes are cut through the thatch, without sash or glass; and a door, without bolt, lock, or bar. In this little cabin, H and myself, C and B, with all our personal luggage, are stowed. The trunks and boxes containing the latter are rather a convenience, however, than an incumbrance; for with the exception of a bedstead and a cot, they constitute the whole of our furniture, and form our only tables and chairs, articles of which, in propria forma, we have neither. Still I can assure you, we are most truly contented, and feel ourselves even more comfortably accommodated than we could have anticipated on first landing in this heathen country; if light hearts and bright faces are signs of happiness, we are not without good proof that with us there is, at present, a fulness of that blessing. Yesterday I preached my first sermon in these distant islands, to a large and attentive audience; among whom were most of the officers and crew of the Thames. Some of those, of whose serious impressions on our voyage we thought favorably, much to our sorrow have shewn, since our arrival in port, that "the root of the matter was not in them. Their goodness, "as a morning cloud, and as the early dew," disappeared under the influence of temptation and the power of sin. Among the number, however, there is one only in whose moral integrity we had placed 90 ESTABLISHMENT ON SHORE. confidence. The rest, by their steadfastness in the midst of a licentiousness that can scarce have a parallel, and which is so universal in its influence as, almost without an exception, to sweep into its deadly vortex visiters of all ranks and of every age have greatly rejoiced our hearts, and encouraged us with fresh confidence to commend them to the love of God and to the word of his grace, hoping that ever after, as now, they will be kept from the evil that is in the world, and eventually attain unto everlasting life. Before Captain Clasby took his leave, the passengers of the Thames addressed a letter to him and to his officers, expressive of their gratitude for the unwearied kindness and attention received from them during the voyage mark of respect and good-will to which they were richly entitled. -a May 14. It has been determined in a full meeting of the mission, that before occupying any new station an exploring expedition shall make a tour through the island of Hawaii, visiting every place of importance, and bringing a report to the mission at Oahu. The Rev. Mr. Ellis, Rev. Mr. Thurston, Rev. Mr. Bishop, Mr. Goodrich, and myself, form the deputation appointed for this purpose. We are to embark in the first vessel that sails for that island; and as that may be in a day or two, with the information of this appointinent I will close the journal of my voyage to the islands. CHAPTER VI. TEMPORARY RESIDENCE AT HONOLULU. Mission house at Honolulu, May 15. A scene was acting at the time of our arrival to which I would for a moment revert an annual feast in commemoration of the death of Kamehameha, and of the accession of Liholiho to the throne. My notice of it, however, must be principally from the statements of others-it having commenced |