and native cloth. These equipages, and many others which to us would seem equally strange, were surrounded by persons splendidly attired, bearing kahiles, umbrellas, &c. which gave great variety to the scene; and they were frequently met by companies of males and females, dancing, singing and shouting

The dresses of some of the ladies of rank on this occasion were expensive, but we should suppose rather inconvenient. "One," we are told, "wore seventy-two yards of kerseymere, of double fold; one half being scarlet and the other orange. It was wrapped round her figure, till her arms were supported horizontally by the bulk; and the remainder was formed into a train supported by persons appointed for the purpose."

"But where," you will inquire, "was the king, during all this parade?" Instead of taking his place in the procession with the dignity and pomp which his rank demanded, he was seated on a horse without a saddle, himself nearly destitute of clothing, and what was far worse than all, in a state of intoxication, that rendered his seat very insecure. Around him were his chosen friends, like him on horseback, and intoxicated; and hurrying from place to place, without order or object. In this manner did the king honour the memory of his deceased father.

You will naturally conclude, that in order frequently to support the expense of an exhibition like this, the nobility of the Islands must possess a tolerable share of wealth, and indeed they do. It is accumulated by snatching from the poor their hardly-earned pittance, and by supplying foreign ships with sandal wood, for which they receive money, or such articles of commerce as they desire. Since they have begun, in any degree, to adopt the European mode of dress, they take pleasure in collecting rich and costly wardrobes. Notwithstanding the state of destitution in which you have just seen the king, he about the same time received from Canton no less than four hundred garments of various descriptions. When the chiefs are dressed in complete suits of foreign articles, their appearance is greatly improved-but they sometimes omit a part of the dress, or have the different articles so sadly assorted, as to create a ludicrous effect. Who, for instance, could repress a smile, on seeing a rich silk or satin suit, accompanied with a red flannel shirt, a striped woollen cap, and one shoe and stocking? And would not a female, of large size, clad in a thin muslin dress, without stockings, and with heavy woodman's shoes, attract notice-especially should she attend church, with a large cane in her hand, and an enormous French hat upon her head?

Although the remarks I have already made, as well as those I have yet to make, relate particularly to the situation in which these islanders were found by the missionaries, they are still equally applicable to the condition of that portion of them who have not as yet been blessed by the example and instructions of these devoted men. Around each of the Missionary stations, great changes have taken place in the character and habits of the natives; but a long time must elapse, and great efforts must be made, before every son and daughter of these distant Isles shall be reclaimed from the bondage of sin and ignoránce. While trusting in God, and waiting patiently for so glorious a result, let us not forget to be thankful that light has already begun to dawn on these benighted fellow creatures.

Yours,

E. E.

MY DEAR L.

Distressing as are the real ills and privations endured by the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands, they are light, in comparison with the weight of superstition and idolatry, under which they have hitherto groaned. The fear of implacable spirits, that most distressing species of superstition,