The men—Kanakas, as they are called—are fine stalwart fellows above our average height. The only clothing they then wore was the _maro_, a cloth made by themselves of the acacia bark. This they pass between the legs, and once or twice round the loins. The _Wyheenes_—women—formerly wore nothing but a short petticoat or kilt of the same material. By persuasion of the missionaries they have exchanged this simple garment for a chemise of printed calico, with the waist immediately under the arms so as to conceal the contour of the figure. Other clothing have they none.
Are they the more chaste? Are they the less seductive? Hear what M. Anatole France says in his apostrophe to the sex: ‘Pour faire de vous la terrible merveille que vous êtes aujourd’hui, pour devenir la cause indifférente et souveraine des sacrifices et des crimes, il vous a fallu deux choses: la civilisation qui vous donna des voiles, et la religion qui vous donna des scrupules.’ The translation of which is (please take note of it, my dear young ladies with ‘les épaules qui ne finissent pas’):
‘Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard Are sweeter.’
Be this as it may, these chocolate-skinned beauties, with their small and regular features, their rosy lips, their perfect teeth—of which they take great care—their luxurious silky tresses, their pretty little hands and naked feet, and their exquisite forms, would match the matchless Cleopatra.
Through the kindness of Fred’s host, the principal merchant in the island, we were offered an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the _élite_ of the Honolulu nymphs. Mr. S. invited us to what is called a _Loohou_ feast got up by him for their entertainment. The head of one of the most picturesque valleys in Woahoo was selected for the celebration of this ancient festival. Mounted on horses with which Mr. S. had furnished us, we repaired in a party to the appointed spot. It was early in the afternoon when we reached it; none of the guests had arrived, excepting a few Kanakas, who were engaged in thatching an old shed as shelter from the sun, and strewing the ground with a thick carpet of palm-leaves. Ere long, a cavalcade of between thirty and forty amazons—they all rode astride—came racing up the valley at full speed, their merry shouts proclaiming their approach. Gaudy strips of _maro_ were loosely folded around their legs for skirts. Their pretty little straw hats trimmed with ribbons, or their uncovered heads with their long hair streaming in the wind, confined only by a wreath of fresh orange flowers, added to their irresistible charm. Certainly, the bravest soldiers could not have withstood their charge. No men, however, were admitted, save those who had been expressly invited; but each lady of importance was given a _carte blanche_ to bring as many of her own sex as she pleased, provided they were both pretty and respectable.
