o be in a troubled
political condition, so deep seated that a revolution is at all times
imminent, while the proposed establishment of a republic is freely
prognosticated and openly discussed. It is reported that the king has
lately been detected in receiving heavy bribes for the granting of
certain valuable and exclusive privileges; besides which, his personal
life and habits being, as already intimated, extremely repulsive to a
large portion of the people, he is growing daily more and more
unpopular. It is well known that merchants and resident foreigners have
been for some time taking serious steps for self-protection and the safe
care of their property in the event of a popular uprising. The present
king, it will be remembered, was elected to the throne by ballot upon
the death of the former sovereign, who died about fourteen years ago,
without leaving any regular heir to succeed him. The heir-apparent to
the throne is the brother of the king, and is now thirty-three years of
age.

CHAPTER II.

Ladies Riding Astride.--Passion for Flower Decorations.--A
Sailor on a Bucking Horse.--A Weekly Gala-day.--Hawaiian
Ladies' Costume.--A Famous Battle-ground.--The Native's
Staff of Life.--Ubiquitous John Chinaman.--Largest
Apple-orchard in the World.--Hawaiians as Cannibals.--An
Active Volcano.--Colony of Lepers.--Unwelcome Visitors.--Our
Political Relations with the Sandwich Islands.

There are not infrequently substantial reasons for customs which appear
to us absurd at first blush. It was observed at the race-course of
Honolulu that the women all rode man-fashion,--that is, astride of their
horses; and being accustomed to the saddle from childhood they rode
remarkably well. Even European and American ladies who become residents
also adopt this fashion of riding, for the reason, as we were told, that
side-saddles are not considered to be safe on the steep mountain roads.
If one rides in any direction here mountains must be crossed. Every one
rides on horseback,--men, women, and children. He must be a poor man
indeed who does not own two or three horses of the pony, island breed.
There are plenty of light American-built vehicles to be had for use
about the city roads, but wheels will not answer upon the mountain
paths. It should be mentioned, for the benefit of invalids as well as
pleasure travellers, that there is an admirable public house in the
centre of the town, buil