The Hawaiian Archipelago - Six Months Among The Palm Groves, Coral Reefs, And Volcanoes Of The Sandwich Islands By Isabella L. Bird
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He Asked
A Great Many Sensible Questions About England, Specially About The
State Of The Poor, The Extent Of The Franchise, And The Influence Of
Religion.
When he heard that I had spent some years in Scotland, he
said, "Do you know Mr. Wallace?" I
Was quite puzzled, and tried to
recall any man of that name who I had heard of as having visited
Hawaii, when a happy flash of comprehension made me aware of his
meaning, and I replied that I had seen his sword several times, but
that he died long before I knew Scotland, and indeed before I was
born; but that the Scotch held his memory in great veneration, and
were putting up a monument to him. But for the mistake as to dates,
he seemed to have the usual notions as to the exploits of Wallace.
He deplores most deeply the dwindling of his people, and his manner
became very sad about it. D. said, "He's very unhappy; he says,
soon there will be no more Kanakas." He told me that this beautiful
valley was once very populous, and even forty years ago, when Mr.
Ellis visited it, there were 1,300 people here. Now probably there
are not more than 200.
Here was the Puhonua, or place of refuge for all this part of the
island. This, and the very complete one of Honaunau, on the other
side of Hawaii, were the Hawaiian "Cities of Refuge." Could any
tradition of the Mosaic ordinance on this subject have travelled
hither?
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