HONOLULU. 395 



On landing, a great uproar prevailed, and groups presented them- 

 selves to view, so motley that it would be difficult to describe their 

 dress or appearance. There are, indeed, few places where so great a 

 diversity in dress and language exists as at Honolulu. The majority 

 were in well-worn European clothing, put on in the most fanciful 

 manner; but, upon the whole, I should say that the crowd were 

 scantily covered, some being half-dressed, many shirtless, none fully 

 clothed, and numbers of them with nothing on but the maro. I had 

 been led to expect a greater appearance of civilization. The women 

 were all clad in long loose garments, like bathing-dresses, and many 

 of them were sporting in the water as if it had been their native 

 element. Some of these natives wore the simple tapa, thrown over 

 their shoulders, which gave them a much more respectable appear- 

 ance than those who were clothed in cast-off garments. I was told 

 not to form an opinion of the people too hastily, for this was not a 

 fair view of them ; but it is as well to give one's impressions on the 

 first appearance. 



The place showed much stir of business, owing principally to the 

 work of repairing vessels, and the attendance on them by the natives. 

 The landing is upon a small wharf, erected on piles; and there ap- 

 peared to be sufficient accommodation for the vessels that were in the 

 harbour at this time. The number was nine. 



The natives, in colour, are between the Tongese and Feejees. The 

 grouping of the adobe walls, European houses with piazzas, native 

 houses and pulperias, is as striking as the variety of feature and dress, 

 from the Chinese in their loose shirt and trowsers and broad-brimmed 

 straw-hat, to the well-dressed European, in cloth coat and tightly- 

 strapped pantaloons. 



Every thing is earth-colour, with the exception of a few green 

 blinds. The streets, if so they may be called, have no regularity as 

 to width, and are ankle-deep in light dust and sand. Little pains are 

 taken to keep them clean from offal ; and, in some places, offensive 

 sink-holes strike the senses, in which are seen wallowing some old 

 and corpulent hogs. One of these, which was pointed out to us as 

 belonging to the king, was tabooed, and consequently a privileged 

 personage. The walk on shore, however, after so long a confinement 

 to the ship, was agreeable. After having arranged my business, and 

 received an introduction to the ladies of the consul's family, I re- 

 turned on board to read my letters from home. Every preparation 

 was ordered to be made to weigh anchor at daylight, which is the 



