284 PAUMOTU GROUP AND 



meter stands lower. The daily variation is seldom more than ten 01 

 twelve degrees. The barometer does not usually vary much from 

 30-00 in. It will have been perceived that there is a great difference 

 in the degree of moisture which exists within a few miles ; indeed, I 

 might say, that within a few rods a different climate often prevails: in 

 this respect, there are few places in the islands so remarkable as the 

 immediate vicinity of the town of Honolulu. 



While parts of the town are rarely visited by showers, other portions 

 of it are noted for the frequency of their occurrence. In passing from 

 the town up the valley of Nuuanu, rain becomes more frequent, until 

 at last the superabundance of moisture is quite annoying. 



There is a great variety of opinions relative to the healthfulness of 

 the climate, and it certainly has opposite effects upon the feelings of 

 different persons. Upon the whole, the leeward side of the island is to 

 be preferred as a place of residence, although the quantity of dust 

 renders it at times very uncomfortable, for it seldom happens that 

 there is sufficient rain to lay it ; while on the weather side the fre- 

 quency of showers is much complained of. In some parts, it is said, 

 a day never passes without rain. 



With respect to the force of the trade-wind, which generally prevails 

 for nine months of the year, it is at times, extremely unpleasant, and 

 blows over the high land of the islands with great fury, sometimes 

 becoming dangerous to vessels in the neighbourhood. This remark 

 applies particularly to the small islands: the larger ones have alternate 

 land and sea breezes, which moderate their temperature, and usually 

 the winds are not so violent. The most delightful part of the twenty- 

 four hours is the night, and I have never experienced such pleasant 

 ones in any other part of the globe. Though warm, there is an elasti- 

 city in the air that never exhausts. In the winter season, from Decem- 

 ber to March, the trade-winds for the most part cease; calms take 

 their place, and occasionally a southwest gale is experienced for two 

 or three days. This is generally preceded by a heavy swell setting 

 from that quarter, and a great increase in the surf. This wind is 

 accompanied by heavy rain : we did not experience it ourselves, except 

 while on the mountain ; but the residents informed me that it was 

 extremely uncomfortable, and instead of the elasticity usually felt in 

 the northeast w r ind, they experienced a heavy dull feeling, relaxing the 

 whole system. At certain seasons of the year there are heavy dews ; 

 exposure to them, however, is not deemed injurious. 



The diseases of the climate are few, and generally of a mild type, 

 and from the report of physicians long resident, the islands may be 

 considered healthy for foreigners. The diseases that are most preva- 



