THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE AND RESULTS OF TRAVEL
THROUGH THE SANDWICH OR HAWAIIAN

ISLANDS, AND OTHER PARTS

OF POLYNESIA.

BY REV. HENRY T. CHEEVER,

AUTHOR OF "THE WHALE AND HIS CAPTORS."

With Engravings.

The Sandwich Isles! the Sandwich Isles !
How fair on Ocean's brow they seem,

Reflecting the benignant Smiles

That from the Source of Beauty beam.

NEW YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,

82 CLIFF STREET.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty, by

HARPER & BRothers,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

23X 61

CONTENT S.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY AND GENERAL VIEW OF POLYNESIA.

THE Island World always Fascinating, and why-The Universe itself a Bay of Islands-The Mirror of its Maker-Extent of OceanicaLatest Computation of Area and Population-Grand Divisions of Oceanica-Australasia-Melanesia-Malaisia― Micronesia-Polynesia-Ten large Polynesian Groups enumerated-Classified as Coral, Basaltic, and Continental-Extent and characteristic Features of the Coral-Extent and characteristic Features of the Basaltic Islands-Mountain Ranges-Number of Volcanoes extinct and in action-Theory to account for the Origin of Polynesia - Gravestones of a buried Continent― General and local Descriptions of Island Scenery from Observation—A Sailor's Day at RimataraNatives of the Island Paradises-Their Traits and probable Origin -Researches of the United States Exploring Squadron-Facts and Arguments for the common Paternity of the Families of Polynesia -Causes of the Decay of Native Races-Crisis of their Fate coetaneous with their Discovery-Consequences of that Event-Remarkable Testimony of natives-A Synopsis of all the Agencies of Depopulation-Influences and Course of Events since their Intercourse with Europeans-Crimes and Outrages by Foreigners-Massacres and Cut-offs by Natives-Vices and Virtues of Civilization-The Experiment of Christianity-Warp and Woof of our Narrative-The Reader initiated-Key-note from the Buccaneer.

CHAPTER II.

Page 13

PENGUIN ROOSTS AND ALBATROSSES OF CAPE HORN AND THE PACIFIC.

Foul Weather Group of Islands-First Land-fall-We Lie-to in Berkley Sound-A Surprise and Discovery-A City of Penguins and a Duckery described-Limestone Cliffs and Caverns-We touch the Green Sward and Daisies-Nature's Oratory-Memory's Hesperian Garden-Sailor's Sport with Ducks and Penguins-The Island of Solitude-Perils and Conflicts of Cape Horn-How Old Salts go through them--What we suffer and what we learn-How to Nav

igate between the Galley and Cabin-The Land of Fire and Cape

Desolation-Lee-shore of Patagonia-Fishing for Albatrosses-The

Queen of Birds-A Sketch from Nature-On Deck and on the Wing

—Pathos and Intelligence of the Eye-A poor Peruvian's Supersti-

tion-What came thereof-The Shot from the Mariner's Cross-bow

-The Lesson he learned-Maxim from a Poet-Esthetic Subject

for Philosophers-Poetry and Prose of the Albatross—Its Habits and

Haunts-Specimens caught and measured-Description of an Eye-

witness-Sailor's Yarns-Devices of Knowing Ones-An Albatross

serving as a Carrier Pigeon-Tales of the Forecastle-A Thing be-

tween a Story and a Dream-A Truth stranger than Fiction-The

Man overboard-The Swoop of the Albatross-The drowning

Man seizes the Bird and is saved - Mid Chances and Changes

never Despair-A Commissioner of Providence-A spiritual Lesson

and Analogy-How we are made wiser and better...... Page 37

CHAPTER III.

HONOLULU AND ITS ENVIRONS.

We issue from the Doldrums-We anchor on the Coral Reef- A

model Voyage from Callao-Remedy for the Sea Scurvy-Helio-

tropic Odors from off Shore-Oahu Outside and Inside-Honolulu

Harbor-Fort-Town-Seamen's Chapel and Chaplaincy-Some-

thing had and something wanted - Difference between Blank

Cartridges and Balls for the Pulpit - The true Preaching for Sea-

men-Native and Mission Premises described-A Monumental

Church of Coral-How reared-Institutions of Learning and Char-

ity-A Royal Family School-Wholesale Discipline-Promise for

the Future-Punahou Mission School-Germ of a Polynesian Uni-

versity-Manoa Valley-Bamboo House of Kaahumanu-Pictur-

esque and beautiful Scenery-Palm Groves of Waikiki-Remains

of a Heathen Temple-A Triple Alliance broken-Double Monu-

ment of the Apostasy of Man and Sympathy of Nature... 64

CHAPTER IV.

HAWAIIAN HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY.

Cook's Discovery of the Sandwich or Hawaiian Islands-First seen by
Gaetano in 1542-Their Names, Positions, and relative Distances
to other Continents and Islands of Polynesia-Volcanic Origin-
Superficial Area and Height of Mountains-Whence inhabited, and
how-Remarkable Facts in Proof-Salubrity of Climate-Average
Temperature-Former Physical Health and Beauty of the Aborigi-

nes- -Their Complexion, Physiognomy, and other Correspondences

to the Malay Race-Relative Phrenological View of the Hawaiian

Head-Physical Superiority and Characteristics of the Chiefs-Pro-

portions of a Skull from a Battle-ground—Aptitude and Docility of

the Native Mind-The Aboriginal Language-Cook's exaggerated

Estimate of Population-Devastating Plague consequent upon Dis-

covery-Present Traces of extensive Cultivation-Homage paid to

Captain Cook-Hand of Providence in his Death-Visits of Van-

couver and other Navigators-Disastrous Effects of Foreign Inter-

course-Demolition of Idolatry and the Tabus-How induced-

Horrible Oppression of the Tabus-How sustained-Detail of Par-

ticulars-Providential Overthrow in 1819-Departure of Mission-

aries from America - Prophesy respecting them - Reception at

Kailua and Lahaina-Early Discomforts and Difficulties-Favorable

Posture of the Hawaiian Nation-Minimum of Degradation-Facts

to turn the Cheek of Darkness Pale-A true Cause ascribed-Pres-

ent and Future Results...
.Page 76

CHAPTER V.

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS AND PHYSICAL PHENOMENA.

Indigenous Fruits and Exotics-Staple Food, Arum Esculentum-Poi,

how Prepared and Eaten-Other Products enumerated—Forest

Trees-Cocoa Palm described-Its various Uses-Beneficence and

Wealth of Nature-Animal Kingdom-Absence of Noxious Rep-

tiles or Insects-Paucity of Subjects-Derivation of Fleas-Mineral

Products-Materials for Building—Reef Coral and Coral Shrubbery

-Varieties described-Diving to obtain it-Unique Aspect of the

Country-Vestiges of Volcanoes-Cones and Craters-Difference

between the Windward and Leeward Sides-Bird's-eye Glances-

Things learned in Traveling-Religious Habits of the People out-

side-Cases in Point-Pious and manly Conduct of a Native Nehe-

miah-An indigenous Growth to be proud of and worth transplant-

ing-Song for a Patriotic Hawaiian...

CHAPTER VI.

HAWAIIAN RIGHTS AND WRONGS, POLITICS AND RELIGION.

.99

Facts of the latest French Invasion upon the Law of Nations at the
Sandwich Islands-The Tahitian Game played over-A Comparison
of the French Interests there with English and American-Noble
Attitude of the Hawaiian Government in its late Conflict with the
French Admiral-Verdict of the Jury in the Court of Nations-A