I 82 



HA WAIL 



[letter xix. 



innocence, and childishness of the negro physiognomy. The 

 Hawaiians are a handsome people, scornful and sarcastic-look- 

 ing even with their mirthfulness ; and those who know them say 



Natives of Honolulu. 



that they are always quizzing and mimicking the kaoks, and 

 that they give every one a nickname founded on some personal 

 peculiarity. 



The women are free from our tasteless perversity as to colour 

 and ornament, and have an instinct of the becoming. At first 

 the holoku, which is only a full, yoke nightgown, is not attrac- 

 tive, but I admire it heartily now, and the sagacity of those who 

 devised it. It conceals awkwardness, and befits grace of move- 

 ment ; it is fit for the climate, is equally adapted for walking 

 and riding, and has that general appropriateness which is desir- 

 able in costume. The women have a most peculiar Avalk, with 

 a swinging motion from the hip at each step, in which the 

 shoulder sympathises. I never saw anything at all like it. It 

 has neither the delicate shuffle of the Frenchwoman, the robust, 



