PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF THE KING. 131 and apologized for the lateness of his arrival, and undress, by saying, that both himself and Madam Boki were ill when summoned to the palace; and the latter still too unwell to come to town. After a moment's conversation with him, the king invited the captain and officers to a glass of wine, and led the way to a side table, handsomely laid with a superb set of cut glass-stained and ornamented with cameos in white-on large trays of silver plate. This movement broke up the formality of the seated circle, and various familiar groups were formed in different parts of the room, engaged in easy and pleasant conversation. TAMEHAMEHA III., or as more generally styled, KAUIKEAÓULI, instead of the little boy you knew, in 1825, is now a fine, stout young man of sixteen ; as graceful, well-bred, and perfectly gentleman-like in his whole deportment, as any lad of his age in the most polished circles of our country. I was highly gratified with the dignity and propriety of his demeanor: and still more so, to learn that his private character is as unexceptionable, as his public appearance is manly and becoming the station he occupies.. At the end of an hour we took our leave, much pleased with the whole entertainment-the guards, still on post, presenting arms again as we passed. The officers expressed themselves astonished at the reception; and seemed half disposed to charge me with having deceived them, in the representations I had made-both in my published account, and in private conversations-of the state of advancement among the people. On disavowing this, and ex 132 EVENING PRAYER MEETING. pressing the surprise I had myself experienced-notwithstanding my knowledge of their state only four years ago they replied, that the truth then must be, which is unquestionably the fact, that the reports given of the people by the missionaries and by visitors, have by no means kept pace with the rapid strides making by them, in the various departments of civilization and refinement. LETTER IX. A MORNING VISIT TO THE PRINCIPAL CHIEFS. U. S. Ship Vincennes, Port of Honolulu, ON leaving the palace yesterday, Captain Finch and myself, accompanied by Mr. Jones, called on the ladies of the British consul's family, and on those of the mission; and took dinner afterwards at the American consulate. The usual weekly prayer meeting of the mission family occurred in the evening. Lieutenant Stribling and myself attended; and in the participation of its elevating and happy influences, in the midst of those who we, dear H- must ever regard, in a peculiar manner, as our sisters and our brothers— in joining in their praises and their prayers, in receiving their affectionate Christian salutations, and in imparting to them such encouragement and exhorta LETTER OF THE REGENT. 133 tion as I could present from the land of their fathers, and the churches of their special love-I enjoyed one of those seasons of Christian communion and sympathy, which cheers and animates the heart with a power above the charm of ordinary intercourse. Early after the introduction to the government, Captain Finch received the following note, in the native language, from the regent. Captain Finch, I am made joyful by your arrival here, with good counsel for us. Now, if you desire it, there is the house of two stories, built by my brother, Karaimoku; it is quite at your service, for your accommodation to lodge on shore. The house is not very good-we are are not very well furnished, but I am happy to show you hospitality and kindness. Oahu, October 15th, 1829. ELIZABETH KAAHUMANU. The house referred to, is the large stone residence erected by Karaimoku, during the visit of the royal party in England. Since his death, it has remained unoccupied, and is unfurnished, which explains the apology at the close of the communication. I subjoin the answer. Regent, TO ELIZABETH KAAHUMANU. Your letter is very gratifying to me, and I give you thanks for it. I would accept the house which you offer, as a residence during my short stay here, but it has not been my custom to live outside of the walls of my vessel. 134 KEKUANAOA AND Mr. Jones, our consul, has already offered me a suitable apartment, but I declined accepting it. I value this proof of your desire to extend hospitality to me, quite as much as if I actually enjoyed it. I sincerely desire your welfare; and am happy in having been the herald of advice which you esteem good for you. Let what my government has said to you, engage your deepest attention-honest motives have dictated the language it has used. May you be always happy. W. C. B. FINCH. After this reply had been dispatched this morning, I accompanied Captain Finch in an informal call on the principal chiefs at their respective residences. We landed at eleven o'clock; and, following the street towards the mission houses, made our visits according to the order of dwellings, without reference to the relative rank of the occupants. The first inclosure we came to, is that of Kekuanaoa. Like that of the king, it is large and neatly kept, differing entirely, in this respect, from the state in which the precincts of their habitations were once seen. general was walking in front of one of the buildings; and, on perceiving us, hastened himself to point out the entrance, and open the gate. The On this chieftain, at least, the peep had of the Court. of St. James-when in Great Britain with his late royal master-has not been lost. There is much of the ease and courteousness of high life in all his move ments; and in his manners, figure, dress, and whole deportment, that which would secure to him the epithet of a "gentleman" in any society. We had approached the rear, as was discovered, instead of the front of his establishment; and to reach the principal apartment, or rather house-for every room is a distinct building-were conducted by him first through that, which, from a spread table and sideboard, evidently was a dining hall; and then through another with accommodations for sleeping. I by no means regretted this, however, when I perceived the perfect neatness, good taste, and keeping of each. Had I entered them by accident, without knowing to whom they belonged, I should not have thought of being in the residence of a native, but, from the finish of every part, and from the furniture, in that of some foreign gentleman. The sitting room is delightful. A large door at each end opens a fine draft for the air: the floor was beautifully carpeted with mats; while, in the centre, stood a rich couch of yellow damask, with armed chairs placed on either side, so that those occupying them, enjoyed all the benefit of the breeze sweeping through. On one side, a native lounge or divan extended the whole length of the apartment. Spread with a succession of the finest mats beautifully variegated with stained grass, and furnished with round pillows of damask and silk velvet, it looked more tempting to us, on entering from the noontide heat of a tropical day, than the ottomans of more polished drawing-rooms would under circumstances of less lassitude. A pier table covered with a rich cloth, |