LETTER XIII. 



A Royal Landing — The Royal Procession — Puna Woods— Lunalilo — The 

 Hookupu — Loyal Enthusiasm — The Gift-bearers — The Gifts — The 

 King's Speech. 



Hilo, Hawaii, February. 



The quiet, dreamy, afternoon existence of Hilo is disturbed. 

 Two days ago an official intimation was received that the 

 American Government had placed the U. S. ironclad "Benicia" 

 at the disposal of King Lunalilo for a cruise round Hawaii, and 

 that he would arrive here the following morning with Admiral 

 Pennock and the U. S. generals Scholiield and Alexander. 



Now this monarchy is no longer an old-time chieftaincy, 

 made up of calabashes and fioi, feather-cloaks, kahilis, and a 

 little fuss, but has a civilized constitutional king, the equal 

 of Queen Victoria, a civil list, &c, and though Lunalilo comes 

 here trying to be a private individual and to rest from Hookitpus, 

 state entertainments, and privy councils, he brings with him a 

 royal chamberlain and an adjutant-general in attendance. So 

 the good people of Hilo have been decorating their houses 

 anew with ferns and flowers, furbishing up their clothes, and 

 holding mysterious consultations regarding etiquette and enter- 

 tainments, just as if royalty were about to drop down in similar 

 fashion on Bude or Tobermory. There were amusing attempts 

 to bring about a practical reconciliation between the free-and 

 easiness of Republican notions and the respect due to a sove- 

 reign who reigns by " the will of the people " as well as by 

 " the grace of God," but eventually the tact of the king made 

 everything go smoothly. 



At eight yesterday morning the " Benicia " anchored inside 

 the reef, and Hilo blossomed into a most striking display of 

 bunting; the Hawaiian colours, eight blue, red and white 

 stripes, with the English union in the corner, and the flaunting 

 flag of America being predominant. My heart warmed towards 



