792

(EARLY HAWAII MISSIONARY LETTER)

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:50.00 - 100.00 USD
(EARLY HAWAII MISSIONARY LETTER)
A good content A.L.S. "Lottie Manross" 16pp. 8vo. Kohala, Hawaii, Oct. 18, 1881, from a missionary teacher describing her trip to the island and her varied experiences as a newcomer to the place. In very small: "...In San Francisco…we had a pleasant stay of two days there…we were sea sick…we saw a great many [flying fish]...we reached Honolulu Sunday…the harbor…is beautiful…as we entered the harbor the water changed into a deep green, variegated with many tints over the hidden coral reef. Groves of coconut trees, could be seen…and finally the city…the natives…[were] dressed in gay colors, and talking the most incomprehensible jargon…we found Dr. Hyde…waiting for us with a carriage…they took us home…went out to church in the evening. We found a rival in progress…[they] asked us to speak; of course Miss Turner knew just what to say…I utterly refused…those women thought I was awful…I hadn't any experience in revival work…we again embarked…on the little inter-island steamer Likelike…we reached Mahukona…a desolate place, not a tree sight…I took my first ride on a horse…it is much like riding an earthquake…there is a ravine back of the house where oranges grow-also breast fruit…I was frightened…at the hundreds of lizards which were running over the rocks…there are tremendous spiders here…[there is] nothing poisonous except centipedes and scorpions…it is a very hilly country. We are in the northern part of Hawaii…there is so much leprosy among the natives that we do not like to touch them…a stick is very handy to point with or hit them if necessary…you ask about [American] Indians…what we saw were miserable looking specimens of humanity. I…[am] glad that I am teaching Hawaiians instead...about 5 o'clock a.m. Sept. 30, we were visited by an earthquake, the most severe…for at least forty years…it cracked the walls of the native church…we were greatly surprised and saddened to hear…of President Garfield's death…there were memorial services…on the island…". A great look at early American influence in Hawaii, overall very good.