resignation, confiding in the promises of the Saviour. She left four children, two daughters and two sons, all estimable, and worthy of the attention their mother had ever bestowed on them
KAMAMALU,
(The name signifies The Shade of the Lonely One,) was the daughter of Kamehameha, King of the Sandwich Islands, who, from his conquests and character, has been styled "The Napoleon of the Pacific." Kamamalu was his favourite daughter, and he married her to his son and heir, Liholiho, who was born of a different mother; inter-marriages of brother and sister being then practised in those heathen islands.
After the death of Kamehameha, his son Liholiho succeeded to be King of Hawaii, and all the islands of the group; and Kamamalu was queen, and his favourite wife, though he had four others. This was in 1819; the following year was the advent of the Gospel and Christian civilization to these miserable heathen. As has ever been the case, women joyfully welcomed the glad tidings of hope and peace and purity. Kamamalu was among the first converts, and eagerly embraced the opportunities for instruction. In 1822, she was diligently prosecuting her studies, could read and write, and her example was of great influence in strengthening the wavering disposition of her husband, and finally inducing him to abandon his debaucheries, and become, as he said, "a good man."
In the autumn of the year 1823, Liholiho determined to visit this country first; and then the United States. Kamamalu, his favourite wife, (polygamy was not then abolished,) was selected to accompany him; they left Honolulu, November 27th. The people were greatly distressed at the departure of their king and queen. Kamamalu remained on shore to the last, mingling her tears with those of her attendants, to whom her amiability and attention to domestic concerns had greatly endeared her.
They reached London safely; were flattered and feasted, and hurried from one rout to another, in a manner which their tropical constitutions could very ill bear. The king, Liholiho, took the measles; and, in a few days afterwards, his wife, Kamamalu was seized with the same disease. Liholiho appeared to be recovering rapidly, when his wife was found to be dying. The mutual grief of the royal couple was affecting. They held each other in a warm and protracted embrace, while the thought of dying so early in their career, so far from their loved islands and friends, caused the tears to gush freely. In the evening she died. This sad event so affected the depressed spirits of the king, that although hopes of his recovery had been entertained, he sank rapidly, and on the 14th., after much severe suffering, breathed his last.
In accordance with the will of the dead, the bodies of Liholiho and Kamamalu were taken to Honolulu; and interred with a mingling of barbaric pomp and Christian observances.
Kamamalu was about twenty-six years of age at the time of her decease. Had her life been prolonged, with her uncommon talents and the earnest purpose she manifested of learning the true and doing works of goodness, she would doubtless have been of great aid in the improvement of the people of Hawaii.
