had been on board the
yacht in the course of the day, as a Christmas treat. At last we took
a boat and went off too, accompanied by Mr. Lyman. The appearance of
the 'Sunbeam' from the shore was very gay, and as we approached it
became more festive still. All her masts were tipped with sugar-canes
in bloom. Her stern was adorned with flowers, and in the arms of the
figurehead was a large bouquet. She was surrounded with boats, the
occupants of which cheered us heartily as we rode alongside. The whole
deck was festooned with tropical plants and flowers, and the
decorations of the cabins were even more beautiful and elaborate. I
believe all hands had been hard at work ever since we left to produce
this wonderful effect, and every garden in Hilo had furnished a
contribution to please and surprise us on our return.

"The choir from Hilo came out in boats in the evening, sang all sorts
of songs, sacred and secular, and cheered everybody till they were
hoarse. After this, having had a cold dinner, in order to save
trouble, and having duly drunk the health of our friends at home, we
all adjourned to the saloon, to assist in the distribution of some
Christmas presents--a ceremony which afforded great delight to the
children, and which was equally pleasing to the elder people and to
the crew, if one may judge from their behaviour on the occasion.

"Then we sat on deck, gazing at the cloud of fire over Kilauea, and
wondering if the appearance of the crater could ever be grander than
it was last night, when we were standing on its brim.

"So ended Christmas Day, 1876, at Hilo, in Hawaii. God grant that
there may be many more as pleasant for us in the future!"

CHRISTMAS ON BOARD THE "SUNBEAM," 1879.

"The wind is chill,
But let it whistle as it will
We'll keep our Christmas merry still."

In "Sunshine and Storm in the East, or Cruises to Cyprus and
Constantinople," Lady Brassey gives an interesting account of the
celebration of Christmas on board the _Sunbeam_, between Malta and
Marseilles, December 25, 1879:--"We had service early and then spent a
long busy morning in arranging all the presents for the children,
servants, and crew, and in decorating the cabin. We could not manage
any holly, but we had carefully preserved one bough of mistletoe from
Artaki Bay, and had brought on board at Malta baskets full of flowers,
so that all the pictures, lamps, and even walls, were wreathed with
festoons of bou