drunkenness-Mokumoku, or boxing matches-Na- tive games-Introduction of schools among the far- mers-Proclamation of laws by Kaahumanu-Domes- tic scenes Temperature and climate of the Islands- Voyage to Oahu-Visit on board the Russian corvette Pretpriatie-Services of the Greek church-Departure of the Pretpriatie-Intelligence of the death of the king and queen in England-Alarming illness of Mrs. Stewart-Arrival of a British Consul-Arrival of H. B. M. ship Blonde-Landing of Governor Boki and party-Presentation of Lord Byron and suite to the government-Landing of the bodies of the king and Voyage to Hawaii in H. B. M. ship Blonde-Evening scene-Beauty of the district of Hido-Enter the harbour of Waiakea-Removal on shore-Morning view of Mounakea-Visit to a fish-pond, and to the cascades in the river Wairuku-Chapel, and style of native building, at Hido-Journey to the volcano of Kirauea-Encampment at evening-First view of the erater-Exhibitions of the night-descent into the Increased illness of Mrs. Stewart-Re-embark on board the Blonde-Return to Oahu--Departure of the Blonde-Arrival of the ship Fawn-Determination to embark for England-Farewel! visit to Maui-Pe- 'culiar situation of Mr. and Mrs. Richards-Outrage CHAPTER I. NATIVE HOUSES. Mission House, Lahaina, Dec. 3, 1823. We have for some time past been favoured with the society of Dr. and Mrs. Blatchely. They occupy a new house in our enclosure; and were exposed to a serious accident last night, by the momentary touch of a candle against the thatch of the house, in passing through the door. The flame spread rapidly; but, by prompt exertions, was happily extinguished. The greatest danger to which we feel ourselves exposed is from casualties of this kind. It seldom rains at Lahaina, and, in a short time after erecting a house, the grass thatch becomes perfect tinder; and, in case of fire, unless suppressed at the instant it commences, the loss of the building, and of every thing it contains, is inevitable. The rapidity of the flames scarcely admits the rescue of life, much less of property. Native dwellings are objectionable in many respects. The wind, dust, and rain find ready access to ours in every part; and not only put us to great inconvenience, but often greatly endanger our health. The leaves of the sugar cane with which they are lined, and the grass and mats forming the floors, are secure and appropriate harbours for the mice, fleas, cockroaches, and lizards which infest this land, and by which we are greatly an noyed. But, were the buildings ever so comfortable for the time being, their frailty would be an objection the thatch must be frequently repaired, and the whole house entirely rebuilt every third or fourth year. We are at a loss to determine what the materials of our permanent dwelling shall be. If constructed of wood, every part must come from America, the islands affording no timber for housebuilding, that is accessible, or to be obtained for a reasonable price. If of stone, the lime and lumber necessary to finish them must be procured in the same distant country; for the expense of burning lime here, would be greater than the cost of it in America, and its freight to the islands. Dec. 6. Two days ago we had the happiness of receiving Mr. Ely and Mr. Whitney to our habitations. Mr. Ely returned to Oahu again to-day: and was accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Blatchely. They sailed in the Arab, Captain Meek, to whom we have been indebted for much politeness. Dec. 15. Immediately after the last date, I was seized with a violent illness, from which I am now but just recovering. Mrs. Richards also suffered an alarming attack; and B- -was at the same time confined to her bed. Our situation required the unremitted attentions, night and day, for near a week, both of Mr. Richards and H on whom the care of Mrs. Richards' infant, as well as that of C, necessarily devolved. Mr. Richards was obliged to be physician as well as nurse; and spent many anxious hours in searching medical authorities, while alarming symptoms called for immediate relief. We have deeply felt the importance of an additional physician to the Missionary establishment at the islands. One physician cannot possibly meet the necessities of families so widely dispersed as we are. The extreme stations are more than four hundred miles apart; and in any case of emergency, it would be impracticable to secure at one of these, the services of a practitioner who might be at the other. But the want of a physician is not at such times the only cause of anxiety and distress-is not all that makes the difference between a chamber of sickness in a heathen land, and in the habitations of our fathers. Our nearest friends, instead of hanging on our pillows with kind and assiduous attention, are obliged to exhaust themselves in the lowest drudgery, without an assistant to share even the hardest of their labour. No kind friend calls, to sympathise with us in our sufferings, or to relieve, during the watches of the night, those who are overcome by the fatigues of the day. Our establishment affords few of the articles which at home are considered indispensable to the comfort of a sick room; and, when the violence of disease is removed, we have no delicacy to tempt the fastidious appetite of an invalid, or cordial to revive the drooping spirits of the languid and the faint. We mention these facts, not to complain of the privations of which we are sensible; for through the grace of God we do sincerely esteem them the "light afflictions," that deserve not to be named, in comparison with the everlasting benefits we trust we are securing to the heathen; but only to exhibit to you the various and true shades of Missionary life. Dec. 17. Mr. Whitney, who returned to us on the 14th instant, from a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Thurston, sailed again this evening for Oahu. Dec. 27. On the evening of the day on which Mr. Whitney arrived at Oahu from Taui, a trunk, containing his clothes and papers, was stolen from the hall of the Mission House. No knowledge of the thief was obtained, till within a day or two; though suspicion rested on the attendants of some of the chiefs, who were at the house in the dusk of the evening. This morning a messenger from Kaikioeva, the guardian of the prince, came before sunrise to inform me, that Mr. Whitney's trunk had been found in the possession of a fol. lower of the young chief, and to request me to be present at the examination of it, previous to its being delivered to the care of the Mission. my arrival at the establishment of the chief, the trunk was produced, and as much of its former contents as could be found, replaced. It was then formally given up, in the presence of a large assembly of the people, of the prince and his guardian, including all their personal attendants, male and female; while the culprit was, with judicial solemnity, publicly reproved by Kaikioeva, and punished by dismissal from the service of Kauikeaouli. On In the course of the investigation, it was ascertained that the kahu, nurse, or chief personal attendant, of the prince, was accessary to the |