CHAPTER II. 



KAUAI AND OAHU. 



1840. 



Saturday in Honolulu is a gala day, and all ages of both sexes 

 devote themselves to amusement. Towards the afternoon, they may 

 be seen wending their way towards the east end of the town, in every 

 variety of costume, and borne along in every possible manner. All who 

 have health enough must engage in this day's sport, and every horse is 

 in requisition. The national taste, if I may so speak, is riding horses ; 

 and the more break-neck and furious the animal is, the better. Nicety 

 of equipment is not thought of : any thing answers for a saddle and 

 bridle, and as for stirrups, they are considered quite unnecessary. By 

 four o'clock the crowd is well collected, and feats of horsemanship are 

 practised, consisting generally in those involuntary tumblings that 

 inexpert riders are wont to indulge in. The great gathering is on the 

 eastern plain, the road to which is well covered with dust. The whole 

 looks, when the crowd has possession of it, not unlike a rag fair, the 

 predominant colour being yellow. They are generally well behaved, 

 and the only sufferers are the poor horses, who are kept running, not 

 races only, but for the amusement of the riders, whose great delight is 

 to ride at full speed. At times there are races, in which case the 

 crowd is increased by the addition of the foreigners, many of whom 

 are in a state of intoxication. The uproar is proportionably great, 

 and the natives are less conspicuous, their places being occupied by 

 those whose morals and enjoyments are far from being as innocent. 

 When his majesty and suite are present, much more order and decorum 

 are observed, and the whole affords a pleasing and amusing sight. The 

 returning throng is headed by the king and his party, after whom follow 

 the crowd in a somewhat uproarious style ; those on horses indiscrimi- 



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