THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 
163 
yellow colour, having, indeed, the appearance of a golden mantle. The birds from which 
the feathers are obtained are found in the mountainous parts of the islands, and as each 
bird produces only two of these feathers, one under each wing, the number of birds required 
to furnish the material for the cloak may with difficulty be guessed. Five of these feathers 
are valued at about a dollar and a-half, so that this royal mantle is equal in value to some 
of the most costly gems in the regalia of a European monarch. A few days after the levde, 
the King, the Crown Prince, and the Ministers paid a state visit to the ship. 
Queen Emma, the last of the royal race of Kamehameha, and whose claim had been 
r \KK £5" ^K/\A^ CKaaKIL' 
i 
XL 
i 
set aside in favour of the present occupant of the throne, resides in Honolulu. Her Majesty 
is often seen driving in a carriage and pair, with two footmen behind in liveries of green 
and gold. The national air of Hawaii bears some resemblance to that of England; the 
composer seems open to the imputation of unconscious imitation, at 
any rate. 
The natives of these islands—now all converted to Christi¬ 
anity—are apparently of the same race as the Tahitians. The men 
now all dress in garments of European or rather American pattern ; 
the women wear the long gown, the favourite dress of the ladies 
of Polynesia. These are remarkable for their large lustrous eyes ; 
but the full lips—a typical feature of their race—do not harmonise 
with our conceptions of beauty. The girls of Oahu seldom appear 
without a garland of leaves suspended from their neck, or a wreath 
of flowers encircling their abundant raven-black hair. They excel 
in the art of equitation, and may be seen galloping in the company 
of their friends and relatives on all the roads converging towards Honolulu. The people 
seemed always pleasant and cheerful, and, however “ bent on speed, would find time to 
salute the pedestrian with a friendly “ Aloha-nui ! ” 
