1810] dress. 3G7 



ized, the comparison he has been able to draw, between his 

 own and other countries, has created an unnatural loathing 

 towards his race, or that memory still clings with regret to 

 the customs and associations of former days, — certain it is, 

 that despair has cast its dark shadow over his countena. 

 and, like the vulture, is forever gnawing at his heart. Soma 

 low there are, who, not indifferent to the rapid dwindling 

 away of their people, look forward to the future In trustful 

 hope and confidence, and are zealous in urging forward those 

 reforms and improvements that afford the promise of be: 

 ing their condition and checking the progress of decay ; but 

 the great mass, when not under the influence of the tempo- 

 rary excitement produced by amusement or intoxication, are 

 sorrowful, moody, and melancholy. It is painful to contem- 

 plate the sad expression of the common people, when at work, 

 or when resting from their labors; and when those possess; in: 

 greater intelligence, and occupying a higher sphere, reflect 

 on the alarming decrease of the native population, their 

 thoughts are not pleasant ones. Civilization seems to tli m 

 to have been a bane as well as a blessing; they have b 

 redeemed from the darkness of heathenism, but the full light 

 of day has overpowered them, and like Semele, they are 

 perishing in the embraces which they courted. 



European, or peculiar national costumes, prevail among the 

 foreign residents. The greatest incongruity is exhibited in the 

 apparel of the natives, especially in the seaport towns. The 

 better classes often appear well clothed, in a manner similar 

 to the whites; the women in flaring chip bonnets, and silk 

 or satin dresses, though sometimes accompanied with the 

 coarsest broo-ans drawn over a stockingless foot; and the men 

 in broad-leafed straw hats, and nankeen jackets and trowsers. 

 A great effort has been made by the missionaries to do awav 

 the primitive style of dress altogether, but they have not been 

 entirely successful. The common people, or kanakas, still 

 : idl ere to the maro, and both males and females can with dif- 

 ficulty be persuaded to put on anything else when they are 

 at work. Sometimes, on Sundays- or holidays, the former 



