女神电子书 > 浪漫言情电子书 > roughing it >

第85部分

roughing it-第85部分

小说: roughing it 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



royal mausoleum:

      As the procession filed through the gate; the military deployed
      handsomely to the right and left and formed an avenue through which
      the long column of mourners passed to the tomb。  The coffin was
      borne through the door of the mausoleum; followed by the King and
      his chiefs; the great officers of the kingdom; foreign Consuls;
      Embassadors and distinguished guests (Burlingame and General Van
      Valkenburgh)。  Several of the kahilis were then fastened to a frame…
      work in front of the tomb; there to remain until they decay and fall
      to pieces; or; forestalling this; until another scion of royalty
      dies。  At this point of the proceedings the multitude set up such a
      heart…broken wailing as I hope never to hear again。

The soldiers fired three volleys of musketrythe wailing being
previously silenced to permit of the guns being heard。  His Highness
Prince William; in a showy military uniform (the 〃true prince;〃 this
scion of the house over…thrown by the present dynastyhe was formerly
betrothed to the Princess but was not allowed to marry her); stood guard
and paced back and forth within the door。  The privileged few who
followed the coffin into the mausoleum remained sometime; but the King
soon came out and stood in the door and near one side of it。  A stranger
could have guessed his rank (although he was so simply and
unpretentiously dressed) by the profound deference paid him by all
persons in his vicinity; by seeing his high officers receive his quiet
orders and suggestions with bowed and uncovered heads; and by observing
how careful those persons who came out of the mausoleum were to avoid
〃crowding〃 him (although there was room enough in the doorway for a wagon
to pass; for that matter); how respectfully they edged out sideways;
scraping their backs against the wall and always presenting a front view
of their persons to his Majesty; and never putting their hats on until
they were well out of the royal presence。

He was dressed entirely in blackdress…coat and silk hatand looked
rather democratic in the midst of the showy uniforms about him。  On his
breast he wore a large gold star; which was half hidden by the lapel of
his coat。  He remained at the door a half hour; and occasionally gave an
order to the men who were erecting the kahilis 'Ranks of long…handled
mops made of gaudy featherssacred to royalty。  They are stuck in the
ground around the tomb and left there。'  before the tomb。  He had the
good taste to make one of them substitute black crape for the ordinary
hempen rope he was about to tie one of them to the frame…work with。
Finally he entered his carriage and drove away; and the populace shortly
began to drop into his wake。  While he was in view there was but one man
who attracted more attention than himself; and that was Harris (the
Yankee Prime Minister)。  This feeble personage had crape enough around
his hat to express the grief of an entire nation; and as usual he
neglected no opportunity of making himself conspicuous and exciting the
admiration of the simple Kanakas。  Oh! noble ambition of this modern
Richelieu!

It is interesting to contrast the funeral ceremonies of the Princess
Victoria with those of her noted ancestor Kamehameha the Conqueror; who
died fifty years agoin 1819; the year before the first missionaries
came。

      〃On the 8th of May; 1819; at the age of sixty…six; he died; as he
      had lived; in the faith of his country。  It was his misfortune not
      to have come in contact with men who could have rightly influenced
      his religious aspirations。  Judged by his advantages and compared
      with the most eminent of his countrymen he may be justly styled not
      only great; but good。  To this day his memory warms the heart and
      elevates the national feelings of Hawaiians。  They are proud of
      their old warrior King; they love his name; his deeds form their
      historical age; and an enthusiasm everywhere prevails; shared even
      by foreigners who knew his worth; that constitutes the firmest
      pillar of the throne of his dynasty。

      〃In lieu of human victims (the custom of that age); a sacrifice of
      three hundred dogs attended his obsequiesno mean holocaust when
      their national value and the estimation in which they were held are
      considered。  The bones of Kamehameha; after being kept for a while;
      were so carefully concealed that all knowledge of their final
      resting place is now lost。  There was a proverb current among the
      common people that the bones of a cruel King could not be hid; they
      made fish…hooks and arrows of them; upon which; in using them; they
      vented their abhorrence of his memory in bitter execrations。〃

The account of the circumstances of his death; as written by the native
historians; is full of minute detail; but there is scarcely a line of it
which does not mention or illustrate some by…gone custom of the country。
In this respect it is the most comprehensive document I have yet met
with。  I will quote it entire:

      〃When Kamehameha was dangerously sick; and the priests were unable
      to cure him; they said: 'Be of good courage and build a house for
      the god' (his own private god or idol); that thou mayest recover。'
      The chiefs corroborated this advice of the priests; and a place of
      worship was prepared for Kukailimoku; and consecrated in the
      evening。  They proposed also to the King; with a view to prolong his
      life; that human victims should be sacrificed to his deity; upon
      which the greater part of the people absconded through fear of
      death; and concealed themselves in hiding places till the tabu 'Tabu
      (pronounced tah…boo;) means prohibition (we have borrowed it;) or
      sacred。  The tabu was sometimes permanent; sometimes temporary; and
      the person or thing placed under tabu was for the time being sacred
      to the purpose for which it was set apart。  In the above case the
      victims selected under the tabu would be sacred to the sacrifice'
      in which destruction impended; was past。  It is doubtful whether
      Kamehameha approved of the plan of the chiefs and priests to
      sacrifice men; as he was known to say; 'The men are sacred for the
      King;' meaning that they were for the service of his successor。
      This information was derived from Liholiho; his son。

      〃After this; his sickness increased to such a degree that he had not
      strength to turn himself in his bed。  When another season;
      consecrated for worship at the new temple (heiau) arrived; he said
      to his son; Liholiho; 'Go thou and make supplication to thy god; I
      am not able to go; and will offer my prayers at home。'  When his
      devotions to his feathered god; Kukailimoku; were concluded; a
      certain religiously disposed individual; who had a bird god;
      suggested to the King that through its influence his sickness might
      be removed。  The name of this god was Pua; its body was made of a
      bird; now eaten by the Hawaiians; and called in their language alae。
      Kamehameha was willing that a trial should be made; and two houses
      were constructed to facilitate the experiment; but while dwelling in
      them he became so very weak as not to receive food。  After lying
      there three days; his wives; children and chiefs; perceiving that he
      was very low; returned him to his own house。  In the evening he was
      carried to the eating house;  where he took a little food in his
      mouth which he did not swallow; also a cup of water。  The chiefs
      requested him to give them his counsel; but he made no reply; and
      was carried back to the dwelling house; but when near midnightten
      o'clock; perhapshe was carried again to the place to eat; but; as
      before; he merely tasted of what was presented to him。  Then
      Kaikioewa addressed him thus: 'Here we all are; your younger
      brethren; your son Liholiho and your foreigner; impart to us your
      dying charge; that Liholiho and Kaahumanu may hear。' Then Kamehameha
      inquired; 'What do you say?' Kaikioewa repeated; 'Your counsels for
      us。'

      〃He then said; 'Move on in my good way and。' He could proceed no
      further。  The foreigner; Mr。 Young; embraced and kissed him。
      Hoapili also embraced him; whispering something in his ear; after
      which he was taken back to the house。  About twelve he was carried
      once more to the house for eating; into which his head entered;
      while his body was in the dwelling house immediately adjoining。  It
      should be remarked that this frequent carrying of a sick chief from
      one house to another resulted from the tabu system; then in force。
      There were at that time six houses (huts) connected with an
      establishmentone was for worship; one for the men to eat in; an
      eating house for the women; a house to sleep in; a house in which to
      manufacture kapa (native cloth) and one where; at certain intervals;
      the women might dwell in seclusion。

      〃

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的