1893.] THE INSIGNIA. 125 of Audubon's Book of Birds, and the Encyclopædia Britannica- not a particularly interesting collection. In a cabinet was a modest service of plate-spoons, forks, and ladles - the property of the Government, which had been sent by France with the ill-starred portrait of Louis Philippe. In one small room was a collection of curios, also to be turned over to the museum, a polished swimming-board, a native drum (a block of wood covered with pig-skin), vessels for holding poi, one or two baskets, and two wooden trenchers, one for serving roast pig, and another, smaller and deeper, in which that salient feature of a Hawaiian banquet, roast dog, was brought upon the table. After exploring the State apartments we descended to the lower floor, and the rooms in which the State insignia were preserved were unlocked, and we were permitted to inspect them at our leisure. Although the Revolution had been precipitated in a few hours, the Provisional Government permitted no violence and no neglect or abuse of the national possessions which the Hawaiians held sacred. Chief among these were the crowns, sceptre, jewels, and the sacred mamos the wonderful feather cloaks which none could wear but the highest chiefs. These had been placed in chests and kept under lock and key, and it was an extremely difficult matter to get sight of them, whatever influence might be brought to bear. The kahilis were ranged in frames against the wall, looking like big dust-brushes with long handles. Some were made of yellow feathers, some of goose feathers, others of hen feathers dyed pink. These were carried in procession on all State occasions, and the kahilis preceded the Queen when she came into the throne-room or legislative halls. There were several chests filled with feathers tied in bundles, ready to be made up in kahilis if upon regal occasions the demand should exceed the supply on hand. The handles of these big plumes were of bone or polished wood. I saw neatly pieced into one a very ancient heirloom the white wrist-bone of a chiefess, and in another the thigh-bone of a chief. These had come down from the time of the first Kamehameha, and from long usage had acquired a polish like ivory. It took much urging and entreating to get even a glimpse of the beautiful mamos. They are as much a part of the Islands as the great volcano, and to miss seeing one is as great a misfortune as failing to see the other. In a large circular box of galvanised iron was a great number of small collars, with patterns in black or scarlet feathers upon the dazzling yellow ground. These were worn by the nobles in attendance upon the chief. The larger mantles were stored in long chests and kept under lock and key. They were wound smoothly, without a crease or crinkle, round long poles, and then covered with many folds of some sort of native cloth, and tied so 1893.] THE ROYAL MANTLES. 127 securely that it was a little difficult to unfasten them. Like the kahilis, the mantles were made of the yellow feathers of the oo (Acrulocercus nobilis). This is a bird which is extremely rare, and lives in the mountains of the islands of Hawaii and Maui, but is not found on the island of Oahu. It is a small bird, with a long, curved beak, and lives upon honey; its plumage is black, changing to green, and under each wing is a single small cluster of yellow feathers. From these the royal mantles were made; the birds were not destroyed, but were snared, the costly feathers secured, and the bird was then set free. The foundation of each mantle was a lace-like net made from the fibre of the olono, or native hemp, and upon these the tiny yellow feathers, no larger than those of a canary bird's plumage, had been fastened one by one, making a smooth surface, dazzling as cloth of gold. The mantles of the chiefs were several yards in length, and were carried by train-bearers. Lieutenant Laird said that even at the low valuation of native labour each royal mantle was worth over a million dollars, tribute being formally exacted in oo feathers, a few every year from each subject. The mantles were carefully sunned and aired at short intervals, tobacco being sprinkled over them to prevent the ravages of insects. This 1 Professor Alexander states that the feathers of another bird, the mamo (Drepanis pacifica), still rarer than the oo, were also used in the manufacture of these mantles. periodical cleaning is a most tedious process, and must be done feather by feather. Among many other wild rumours that had kept the natives in a state of continual unrest statements exaggerated and circulated by demagogues was one to the effect that these ahulas, from time immemorial the possession of the chiefs and kings of Hawaii, were to become the property of the United States and be removed to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. "We have put our heads into the lion's mouth, and must abide the consequences," said one man, speaking of the prospective loss. I assured him that I did not think for one moment that the United States would molest the Hawaiian people in a single right or privilege they now enjoyed, least of all would they be deprived of their State insignia and treasures an assertion which I am glad to say that time has fully verified. After the kahilis and ahulas had been shown and in the collection I have forgotten to mention three dusty silk hats with wide crape bands, survivals of King Kalakaua's funeral - the chests were closed and fastened, and the doors were securely locked behind us. We were then conducted to the ex-Chamberlain's private office. In the outer apartment were several glass cases containing quantities of royal stationery -cards, large and small-forms of invitation for 1893.] DISUSED CROWNS. royal entertainments. 129 Two were presented me as souvenirs; the smaller, for less ceremonious occasions, had a narrow silver border, and the larger a border of gold. The lettering, surmounted by the Hawaiian coronet in scarlet and gold, was in gold script and old English text. The receptions to which these cards were an open sesame were a thing of the past as much as the native feasts of Kamehameha. Upon the ex-Chamberlain's desk stood a large calf-skin case with the name of a London firm printed on one end. It looked somewhat like a commonplace steamer trunk, though not so long; it was unlocked, and lo! within were two crowns that of the King and the Queen of Hawaii. They were the crowns that had been ordered by King Kalakaua and made for him in London, and worn on his coronation. The larger, that of the King, was handed me, and I took it with the natural interest one could not help feeling who holds in his hands for the first time the bonâ fide coronet of a king, though that king had been classified as a petty sovereign. There was a cap of crimson velvet with four converging bands of very thin gold, surmounted by a small globe and a Maltese cross. The band which passed round the forehead was studded with opals and rubies, and above this at intervals were crosses set with diamonds and other jewels. of the Queen was of the same pattern. Colonel Robertson gave some order to his secretary which I 9 That |