SANDWICH ISLANDS. 185 



front teeth knocked out. This seems to have been an old 

 religions custom, and was considered as a propitiatory sacrifice 

 to the gods, to avert their anger. 



Of the white residents the Americans are the most nume- 

 rous. Most of the foreign trade is in their hands, and several 

 are reputed to be quite wealthy. The town bears many evi- 

 dences of their enterprise. Their dwelling-houses and stores 

 are the largest and handsomest in the place. They have also 

 a neat chapel of their own, and support "a weekly newspaper. 



There is a regular market here, and all kinds of provisions 

 can be had as cheap as we get them at home. The beef 

 comes chiefly from the Island of Hawaii, and is fat and well- 

 flavored. Oranges, pine-apples, plaintains and bananas are 

 also abundant, and of an excellent quality. 



When it became so dark that I could no longer see the town 

 to advantage, I repaired to the principal hotel, where I got a 

 very good supper. There is a billiard-table connected with this 

 establishment, which I found well patronized by the foreign 

 residents and chiefs ; several of the latter were noble-looking 

 men, and spoke very good. English. 



On the 20th, two natives were hung at the fort, in the pre- 

 sence of a great concourse of people, for poisoning a woman, 

 wife to one of them. Their trial took place about a fortnight 

 before, and was conducted, we were told, in a very impartial 

 and dignified manner. The governor was the presiding judge, 

 and the king and high chiefs were present. The accused were 

 allowed £0 challenge a jury, which consisted of twelve of the 

 most intelligent and respectable natives. They were also 

 allowed to choose counsel. One of the criminals was a chief 

 of high rank. 



October 27th. This morning I went to witness an exami- 

 nation of the native children. I found them assembled at the 



