PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
429 
the negotiation of a treaty of alliance between Captain Jones, of the CHAP. 
United States’ sloop Peacock, on the part of America, and Boki, the 
regent, on the part of the Sandwich Islands ; by which the reception of Feb. 
American vessels in the Sandwich Islands, on the footing of the most 
favoured nation, was guaranteed to America in the event of that nation 
being involved in hostilities with any other power. The other was the 
resignation of Pitt, who, being aware of his approaching dissolution, 
retired to Owyhee, and left his brother Boki to act as regent. Boki, 
who, it may be remembered, accompanied the late king Kio-Eio to 
England, appears to have derived much benefit from that visit, and on 
his return to the Sandwich Islands to have become very desirous of 
improving the condition of his countrymen. He was, however, a less 
active governor than Pitt, and less capable of effecting those changes 
which experience had nevertheless convinced him were necessary for 
their advancement. 
The town of Honoruru had now a more cleanly and lively ap- 
pearance than on our former visit, and the streets, occupied by happy 
little children who had resumed their games, wore a more cheerful 
aspect. There was an improvement also in the society of the place, 
arising apparently from the arrival of some Europeans, particularly of 
the consul’s family, which was of very great advantage to the females of 
Woahoo, who seemed anxious to imitate their manners, and were so 
desirous of becoming acquainted with the method of arranging their 
different articles of dress, that it required an unusual share of good 
nature to avoid taking offence at the rude manner in which they gra- 
tified their curiosity. The females of ^Aoahoo are shrewd observers 
of these matters, and on great occasions endeavour to imitate foreigners 
as nearly as they can ; but the powerful influence of fashion has not 
been yet able entirely to get the better of that other powerful prin- 
ciple, early habit, and the women of the Sandwich Islands in retirement 
still adhere to their old customs, affording as curious an instance as was 
ever beheld of barbarism walking hand in hand with civilization. 
The lower class of the inhabitants of Woahoo have varied their 
dress very little from its original style ; though in Honoruru some 
females may be seen clothed in the cotton of Europe, and even in the 
silks of China, with green and red shoes, and sometimes with parasols. 
