290 . HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



go clothed in the fashion peculiar to their country ; and their foreign guest 

 alone is served on porcelain and silver. Fashion prevails also at Hawai, 

 Vi^ith changeable caprice, especially among the women. All now carry 

 mirrors and tobacco-pipe bowls, and an European handkerchief around the 

 neck. The ornaments worn by the queens and persons of rank are of con- 

 siderable value. Poetry, music, and dancing have also become common. 

 Their dance is not without grace, and is even described by travellers as 

 truly beautiful. {PL 4^1, figs. 5, 6, Hawaians and their dancing.) 



The Sandwich Islanders, in general, belong to the Malay race ; are not 

 large, but of agreeable physiognomy, the nostrils, however, being somewhat 

 wide ; the hair, which does not curl, is black, and worn short ; the com- 

 plexion is blackish brown, and tattooing not frequent. A piece of stuff, 

 manufactured of the fibres of the paper mulberry tree, is their only dress. 

 Upon festive occasions, a bast cloak ornamented with feathers and painting, 

 as well as a feather cap, frequently in the shape of a helmet, is added. 

 Females wear a kind of chemise. Besides the article just mentioned, they 

 adorn themselves with strings of shells, bones, teeth, and feathers, neck- 

 laces, &c. European clothing, however, is now also worn by many indi- 

 viduals. The dwellings are round, formed of wicker-work of cane and 

 leaves, and have pointed roofs. The huts stand together in streets ; those 

 near the sea are provided with mason-work for protection against the 

 waves. But few household utensils are seen. Many houses are now built 

 according to the European style, and all people of consequence have stone 

 edifices. A change has taken place also with respect to food, and dishes 

 are prepared according to the European mode. In former times the Sand- 

 wich Islanders were described as a very amiable people, advantageously 

 distinguished for hospitality, gentleness, kindness, love of the members of 

 families for each other, and a certain gravity. European manners, how- 

 ever, have thrown many of these virtues into the background. But 

 notwithstanding this, they are still found in a greater measure than on 

 other islands of Oceania, together with industry, activity, and skill in the 

 arts, and superior agriculture. The Sandwich Islanders understand the 

 art of fishing very well, manufacture cloths that evince ingenuit}'', and their 

 articles of ornament made of feathers are true works of art. Their boats 

 are very strong, and built with much skill ; the builders being as familiar 

 with the water as with the firm land, possessing great dexterity in the 

 management of their boats, even in the roughest weather, and evincing 

 also a high degree of courage on board of ships. Their former weapons, 

 spears, slings, bows and arrows, have been changed in part for firearms ; 

 and European crafts have already been brought to a flourishing condition 

 am.ong them. They amuse themselves by dancing and. various games. 

 Until recently they were heathens, and every district, each chief, had 

 particular gods and idols ; their priests possessed great power, acting at 

 the same time as physicians and sorcerers. The sacred places where their 

 idols were erected, and to which the offerings — sometimes human sacrifices 

 — were brought, were called Moi^ais, 



The Sandwich Islanders are governed by kings unlimited in power ; and 

 462 



