a machine it is, without the winds. And the same power which propels the noble frigate, or with equal ease a nation's fleet, disdains not to waft the fisherman's boat to the scene of his patient toil, and back to his humble dwelling; and refuses not its aid to the savage, as he plies his light canoe among the ever-green islands of the tropic seas!

Thus widely connected with human business and interests, how deeply are the winds united with human affections and sympathies! How sinks the heart of maid or wife as the wind sets in, which is to bear brother, lover, or husband, farther, and still farther from her presence; and how beats the same true heart while the wind is blowing which is bearing brother, lover, or husband, nearer, and still nearer, to the fond hearts that sigh for his return! The tender, affectionate, and anxious wife, whose husband is tossed on the far-distant billow, how swells and throbs her fond and gentle heart, when the hoarse singing of the midnight blast salutes her ear! Oh, bless and protect him, gracious Heaven, and in thine own good time restore him! The virtuous affection which glows in her bosom, is but an emanation from Thee, the fountain of light and love.

Every breeze that passes over the land is commissioned with a thousand kind and tender wishes to the sea; and every loud blast is burdened with anxious fears and earnest prayers. The storm that rises at night awakes many a parent to think, till the day dawns, of the son who is perhaps exposed to its fury, and to commend his keeping to One "whom the winds and seas obey. Are there not friends, in our own loved homes, thus thinking of us? Blessings on their heads! And may every zephyr that breathes, and every wind that blows, bear to them only health, good tidings, and peace!

Winged onward by the same great moving agent of which we have been speaking, the Potomac, after having passed through the Bashee Straits and gained the northeast trade, as before mentioned, shaped her course across the vast Pacific. Nothing of interest or importance occurred during a rather unpleasant passage of fifty days, when she approached the Sandwich Islands, on the evening of the twenty-third July. "Land on the weather-bow," shouted a hoarse voice from the mast-head. It was the Island of Oahu.

CHAPTER XXII.

The Sandwich Islands, their number and location-The Island of Oahu-Indolence of the natives-Presentment at Court-Town of Honoruru, markets, houses, furniture, food, &c. of the natives-Hospitable reception and entertainment—A Luau, or barbecue-Arrival of the young king-Dinner on board the frigateHonours paid him-His attention to the Americans—Indian war-dance-A royal banquet-Battle-ground of Tamehameha-A supper at the palace-Dramatic performances-The commodore's official interview with the king-Taking leaveSailing of the frigate-Reflections on her visit-Missionaries and foreign residents.

THAT celebrated group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, which Cooke named in honour of his patron, the Earl of Sandwich, comprises ten in number, which are situated just south of the tropic of Cancer, in longitude from 154° 50' to 160° 24' east. These islands are about five thousand miles east of Canton, in China; and about two thousand eight hundred miles west of the American coast.

The four principal islands of the group are called Hawaii, Mowee, Oahu, and Tauai; which were once governed by separate and independent kings; but the whole are now under one monarch, a young prince called Kauikeaouli, who is grandson of the celebrated Tamehameha, whose wisdom and prowess first subdued and united them under one government. The young king is not yet of age; but acts under the advice and direction of his aunt, the queen regent, daughter of the great conqueror just mentioned. An amicable visit to this court (which is located at the Island of Oahu) for the purpose of improving our commercial relations, was comprised in the instructions of our government to Commodore Downes, when he sailed in the frigate Potomac, on her present voyage around the world.

The first sight of the Island of Oahu, which she made on the morning of the twenty-third of July, was far from interesting. In the evening previous, Diamond Hill was seen at the northeastern extremity of the roads, in which it was intended to anchor. At sundown, the wind hauled, and compelled the frigate to stand

off all that night; but the next day, about sundown, she came to anchor in the Bay of Waititi. Previous to coming to, however, she was boarded by some of the American and English residents; and, at some distance outside the harbour, a boat came alongside with a pilot.

The Potomac finally anchored in twenty-one fathoms of water, about one mile from a reef of coral rocks that stretches across what is called the inner harbour, leaving but a very narrow passage for vessels to enter and depart, and forming a complete natural breakwater to the anchorage within. Abreast of her was the village of Waititi, consisting of a few huts, and two or three cocoanut groves. From this point of view, the island appeared handsomely distributed into valley and hill, extending far back, and rising into lofty mountains. The low land, near the water, was sprinkled with habitations; but no great beauty was visible-no cultivation apparent. The mountains in the back ground relieved the eye by a show of verdure; but in the vicinity of the town of Honoruru, and almost everywhere within view of the ship, a bleak and barren aspect characterized the picture.

On the following day, the American and English consuls, being the only foreign public characters on the island, paid their respects to the commodore on board the frigate; which also fired a salute in honour of the port and government. This customary mark of respect was promptly returned by the fort on shore. Several canoes came alongside, manned by natives; some of them partially clothed with sailors' frocks and trousers; but mostly either in a state of nudity, or with nothing but a piece of tapa, or native cloth, thrown over their shoulders.

Among the numerous visiters of this character, was the brother of one of our men, who had been taken to the United States some years ago, by the Peacock. The meeting of these two near and long-separated relatives, was singular indeed. As the visiter came up the ship's side, our man waited in the gangway to receive him. He was almost naked, having nothing but the maro, or girdle, around his loins. They both stood for some time, looking each other full in the face, without uttering a word, but appearing to force upon themselves the recollections of each other's countenance. After fully satisfying themselves on this point, our man extended his hand, caught the other by the arm,

and led him below, in silence. Not a word was spoken by either -no greeting, no salutation passed-off they went together. But the stranger soon afterward returned, dressed in some of his brother's clothes; and with some under his arm, he got into his boat and pulled ashore. They did not publicly manifest the least sign of affection for each other. Perhaps, indeed, the one was ashamed of the other's nakedness; and the other felt his own inferiority. They were afterward often seen together; and the poor fellow's altered and improved habiliments, proclaimed the liberality of his more fortunate relative.

Through the hearty welcome of the foreign residents, almost every house was open to the officers, and horses always at their service. Equestrian recreations are much enjoyed by the foreigners, and such natives as can afford to keep horses. There are a great many of these useful animals on the island, brought from the Spanish Main. Very few, if any, have been raised here. The natives ride hard, and their horses are not well kept.

Notwithstanding Mr. Stewart's high encomium on the roads, we feel compelled to say that they are far from good; and that the one leading to the village of Waititi, opposite the frigate, is the only one that deserves the name. This is hard and smooth, about two miles in length, and affords quite a pleasant ride. The seabreeze here renders the air fresh and agreeable, and the prospect is not without its charms. Far as the eye can reach, extends the ocean; and there rides the gallant Potomac, heaving in the long swell, and almost within the tremendous surf that breaks and combs in immense rollers over the coral reef. Here and there a few cocoanut groves, on one side the little village of Waititi, and just back the higher peaks-and the scene is complete.

Immediately on our arrival, an express was sent off for the young King Kauikeaouli, who had but a few days before left this island for that of Mowee, where he attends the missionary school. In the meantime, the commodore and a party of officers called upon the authorities of the place, the queen regent, the governor, and the remainder of the royal family and household. The commodore was attended, on this occasion, by the American and English consuls, and many of the merchants, all in full dress. They were received in due form, at the palace of the Queen Regent Kinau. As they walked in procession, it required the

C C

utmost vigilance of several police officers to keep off the crowd, such was their curiosity to see the strangers.

The presentation, which was very ceremonious, was performed by the American consul. The queen regent is the niece of the celebrated Karaimoku, or Billy Pitt, as he is generally called, and daughter to the great Tamehameha, the Napoleon of the Sandwich Islands. Her husband is colonel of the troops. He is not by birth a chief; but being possessed of rather more intelligence than some others of his countrymen, was chosen as a companion to the late King Rilio-Riho, on his visit to England; and on the death of Kinau's husband (Governor Boki), was chosen by her as partner for life; owing, in all probability, to his having been a favourite of Riho-Riho. He is not a man of much authority, having no voice in the council of the state; but may, of course, do much in advising the queen regent in secret. The present queen regent has not long been so; her predecessor having died but a few weeks before the arrival of the Potomac.

The most remarkable circumstance in the history of the royal family, is the immense size of the persons who compose it; that of Kinau, the queen regent, in particular. The weight of Kuakini, or governor, or John Adams, as he chooses to be called, is now only three hundred and fifty, as he informed our officers; although some months previously he weighed somewhat more. That of Kinau is two hundred and fifty; and this, for a lady, is no small quantity!

The reader has doubtless already a correct idea of the town of Honoruru, from the description of the Rev. Mr. Stewart, a journal of whose residence in the Sandwich Islands is before the public. Honoruru is not regularly laid out, although many of the streets run at right angles. The houses, at some distance, look much like hay-mounds, the roofs angling almost down to the ground, and covered with a particular kind of thatch. The only difference in the external appearance of these edifices consists in their size, many of them being extremely large. The royal palace and the churches are the largest. The dwellings of the foreign residents are built of stone or frame-work. The mission-house is at the extremity of the town; it is large, and to all appearances the most comfortable on the island. It is certainly the most capacious, and the best built, being of stone, and well whitewashed.