36 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
genius of music. For this purpose he attended a number 
of singing parties, at which he attempted to make himself 
useful to three young Americans, who sang with masterly 
taste. In the opinion of the professor they u needed a little 
burnishing,” which he volunteered to give them. Unfortu ¬ 
nately for the art, however, they were vain enough to sup¬ 
pose they had learned music before his arrival; and did not 
therefore value his suggestions so highly as he himself did. 
But the professor persevered. His forbearance knew no 
limit towards the deluded tyros. On all public occasions 
he never failed to throw out many invaluable hints as to 
movement, ascent, and style generally. He even encou¬ 
raged them to hope that, with all their imperfections, they 
might attain a respectable degree of excellence if they 
would attend to his instructions. Whether or not his exer¬ 
tions were ever properly appreciated by these gentlemen is a 
question whch remains unsettled to this day. But the most 
interesting event which occurred to the professor in Hono¬ 
lulu was his interview with the sister of the young lady 
whom he had forsaken. She was the wife of a Missionary, 
a zealous servant of her Master. He called on her and 
was invited to remain to tea. I was present. Everything 
was sad as the grave ! The mercies of Heaven were im¬ 
plored upon his blighted conscience ! He left, little hap¬ 
pier for the reminiscences awakened by the visit, and soon 
after sailed for California. I heard of him as an ingenious 
man in mending a watch on shipboard, but never as one of 
moral integrity or as the Napoleon of the Californias! 
