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bility, as any ordinary church in our country: the chiefs, by the superiority of their air, and greater richness of attire, corresponding well to the higher classes in our own communities, and the common people differing scarce in any respect, but in their color, from those of the same standing at home.

The happiness to me, of thus surrounding the table of our common Lord, with most of my old associates and missionary friends, and with so many of the chiefs and people, whose spiritual welfare has long been a topic of the deepest interest and prayer, was exceedingly great; and filled my heart with gratitude and praise.

The princess appeared to remarkable advantage. I could not avoid noticing with satisfaction, the singular propriety of her dress-a white Italian crape, finished with simple bindings of white satin, worn over an underdress of white, with a becoming bonnet of light silk, and French scarf of the same, of modest color. She was not only serious, but affected to tears by the ordinance; and while I could but believe her a truly sincere and firm professor, my prayer was that she might be "steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord."

A SHORT time after the arrival of our ship at Hono- lulu, Captain Finch and myself were invited to dinner by an American resident of respectability.

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While at table, the character of the young king became a subject of conversation; and the Captain was led to inquire, whether any person had yet been spoken of as a suitable companion for him as future queen of the Islands. Our host replied, that the king and his sister, the princess, were mutually and strongly attached, and that they themselves and all the chiefs wished a marriage to take place between them, according to former usages in the royal family, but were prevented by the missionaries: adding that the ceremony, however might as well be performed, for, it was well known, that they were already living in a state of licentiousness and incest !

As you may readily imagine the boldness of this assertion, which I was persuaded was utterly false, caused me to drop my knife and fork, with a surprise bordering on indignation; and to demand, in a manner sufficiently indicative of the feeling which had flashed through me, whether Mr. — believed the assertion to be true? To which he replied, "most assuredly nothing is more notorious-every body knows it!" while two other Americans at the table,

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corroborated the charge with the strongest asseverations.

These gentlemen were perfectly aware of the attitude in which I stand to the princess. They knew, that from the time of my first arrival, as a missionary, in 1823, she-then a child eight years old—had been a resident at the station that I occupied in Maui; had ever been a favorite pupil; and on the death of a converted and pious mother, the late queen Keopulani, had been committed by her to the special guardianship and watchful care of the Rev. Mr. Richards my colleague, and myself. They knew, that from that period, I had regarded her with peculiar attachment ; had rejoiced in her acquirements; in the early development of more than ordinary Christian principle and feeling; and in the active and exemplary life of piety which she had led; and that a new bond of interest existed, in an evidence of affection given by her on the necessary removal of myself and family from the island, by the assumption, as a favorite and baptismal appellation, of the name of one justly dear above others to me. They knew also, that she has been for three years a member in full communion of the church; stands conspicuous as a Christian, not only in her own nation, but by report, in various parts of the world; and that by impugning her character› they were assailing the veracity and honor of the whole mission, and casting reproach on all the moral achievements, it is reported, to have attained.

Courtesy therefore to me as a guest, and a regard for my feelings, in view of my relation to the princess, and the strong sympathy which I might be

and his

known still to feel in all that affects my former associates, should have deterred Mr. friends for the time at least, from such unqualified defamation, whether unfounded or not; and it could not have been expected by them, that after hearing it, I should not take measures to ascertain its truth and origin,

The object must have been to force the belief on the mind of Captain Finch, by the confidence and publicity of the assertion, that it must be true. How far this was successfully accomplished the sequel will show.

On taking leave of the company, I requested Captain Finch to charge his mind with the remarks made, and the positiveness of the accompanying manner, that when he should have an opportunity of ascertaining the innocence of the princess, he might be persuaded, from his own observation, of the recklessness with which one, under the influence of strong prejudice and ill will, could thus scatter "ar⚫rows, firebrands, and death!" and then say, "am I not in sport?"

To make the assurance of my own mind "doubly sure," I early ascertained, to my perfect satisfaction, that the crimination was as false in fact, as it was heinous in its nature.

From my messmates, and other officers of the Vincennes, I early learned that the same tale had been repeated, by different persons, to them; and shortly after reaching Maui, one of my companions incidentally mentioned the scandal to Mr. Richards, as a matter of common report at Oahu. He imme

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diately inquired of me, whether I had heard any thing of the kind; and on relating to him the reiterated and positive avowal of Mr. and his companions, determined, as pastor of the particular church of which the princess is a member, to demand of Hoapiri, governor of Maui, and his wife, the guardians and adopted parents of Harieta, an investigation of the case. The consequence was, an immediate resolution on the part of the governor and princess, to proceed to Oahu to meet the allegation; and demand, in the name of the government, from the persons implicated, proof or a recantation of the charge.

The princess was so much affected by the calumny, as to be unable to sleep or eat; and remained with the Governor and his wife, during the whole of the night on which she first heard of it, bathed in tears; and it was not without much urging by the mission family and myself, and the reiterated assurance, that all the gentlemen with me believed her perfectly innocent, that she could be induced to meet them, in the free and cheerful manner she had, previous to this disclosure.

All, who heard of it, were exceedingly indignant. And the first shade of sadness I had seen pass over the brow of Kaahumanu, after the arrival of the Vincennes, was on the morning of our return from Maui, after she had been informed of it. As I approached her residence, to exchange with her an "aloha,” I perceived her seated in dejection on one side of the apartment, while several of her compeers were partaking of a tempting breakfast just by. On asking