52 KAUAIANDOAHU. 



nately mixed, racing and hallooing; the fair riders being borne along, 

 amidst clouds of dust so thick, that were it not for the rustling of flow- 

 ing silks and tapas, one would be at a loss to know their sex. By the 

 evening, all is again quiet, and the streets are nearly deserted. 



Sunday is ushered in with a decorum and quietness that would 

 satisfy the most scrupulous Puritan. I have often had occasion to 

 speak of the strict observance of the Sabbath among the Polynesian 

 islands ; and this strictness is no less remarkable here. Such is the 

 force of example, that even the least orderly of the foreigners are 

 prevented from indulging in any excesses; which, considering the 

 worthless population the town of Honolulu contains, is a proof of the 

 excellence of the police regulations, and the watchfulness of the guar- 

 dians of the law. 



There are several congregations of natives, some of which consist 

 of two thousand persons, all decently clad, exceedingly well behaved, 

 and attentive. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong officiates in the oldest 

 church, which is at the east end of the town. It is a long grass 

 building, calculated to accommodate a very large number of persons: 

 the pulpit, or desk, is in the middle of one of the sides. Service is 

 held twice a day. The Rev. Mr. Smith has also a large church, 

 situated at the west end of the town. 



There is a very large church in progress of building, of coral, 

 taken from the reef, which will be capable of containing a congrega- 

 tion of two thousand people. The funds for its erection are provided 

 by the government ; Dr. Judd, of the mission, has the general super- 

 intendence of its construction ; and it is entirely the work of natives. 

 It makes a good appearance, though I cannot say much for its archi- 

 tectural taste and beauty. It has a small steeple, sufficient to contain 

 a clock and bell. 



There are several schools under the superintendence of the mis- 

 sionaries, besides the school for the chiefs, before spoken of, and a 

 charity school for half-breeds. I attended their examinations ; and 

 the natives performed better than I anticipated. At an examination 

 in the old church, there were seven hundred children, and as many 

 more parents. The attraction that drew together such numbers, was 

 a feast, which I understood was given annually. The scholars had 

 banners, with various mottoes, in Hawaiian, (which were translated to 

 me,) as emblematical of purity, good conduct, steadfast in faith, &c. 

 It was as pleasing a sight as the Sunday-school exhibitions at home; 

 and it gave Captain Hudson and myself great pleasure, at the request 

 of the missionaries, to say a few words of encouragement to them. 

 After the services were over, the scholars formed a procession, and 



