which extends from one point of land to
another, and forms the harbour. What was my surprise to see before us,
when we dropped our anchor, a neat, pretty-looking town, with a fort on
the right side bristling with cannon, a fertile valley extending far
into the country on the left, and lofty mountains rising in the
distance. Over the fort flew the Hawaian flag. It is formed of the
British union-jack, with alternate blue, red, and white stripes. The
streets are broad, and run at right angles to each other. There were
numerous hotels, some of them really very handsome buildings on an
extensive scale, and managed after the American fashion, while in the
streets were a number of large and well-furnished shops. There are
several churches and chapels of very respectable architectural
pretensions. The Custom House is a handsome stone building near the
fort, and the regulations as to duties are strictly observed. The chief
place of business is in the centre of the town; and the most fashionable
locality, where the residences of the leading people among the natives
are situated, is a green sward skirted by the beach and shaded by lofty
cocoa-nut and plantain trees. The European villas are generally further
back--many of them very prettily built, and surrounded by gardens full
of the most delicious fruit and flowers. Many of the foreign consuls
and merchants live in villas a few miles up the country. Good wharves
have been built, and ships of 700 tons can refit alongside them.
Altogether Honolulu is a very wonderful place.

Jerry and I and the doctor, as usual, went on shore to see what was to
be seen, and this time we were accompanied by Mr Brand. The ship was
to remain in the harbour for several days, and we were very anxious to
make a journey to some distance into the interior, that we might see the
natives as they were away from the centre of civilisation. We had
introductions here to several gentlemen, who promised to forward our
views. We were amused with the extraordinary appearance of the natives
in the streets--barbarism and civilisation met together. The former
dress of the men was the taro, a kilt joined between the legs, so as to
form a wide and very short pair of breeches. Some to this now add a
blue shirt, sometimes with the tails tucked in, sometimes flowing
gracefully. Some wear cast-off coats, or jackets, or trousers, of
Europeans; but few of the common people have more than one of these
garments