The Albany Register

ALBANY REGISTER.
KAMEHAMAHA VI., The New King of Hawaii, KAMEHAMEHA VI.

Prince William C. Lunalilo, who by the unanimous voice of the people of Hawaii on the 1st day of January, 1873, was elevated to the throne of that Kingdom, is in the thirty-eighth year of his age. The likeness of the new monarch, printed at the head of this article, was engraved on wood from a photograph, the work of a leading artist in Honolulu, taken a few days before Prince William's election to the throne, and is pronounced by all who have seen the subject thereof, life-like and a true picture of "Prince Bill." Below we give the pedigree of the new King, clipped from the San Francisco Chronicle:

HIS PEDIGREE.

William C. Lunalilo was born in the city of Honolulu in 1835. As his claim to the throne, according to the Hawaiian custom, is based on his royal blood traced through the female line, it is proper to refer first to his mother. Her name was Kekaulike, and she was a daughter of one of the wives of Kamehameha I. Thus the new King is a grandson of the first of his line. Some of the old natives say that Kekauluohi, his mother, was not one of the daughters of Kamehameha I, and claim that there is good authority to justify this assertion. If she was not, this much, however, is certain: she was the daughter of a chief of high rank—of equal rank with the King before he was called to the throne. Kekauluohi is dead; but her husband, "Prince Bill's" father, whose name is Charles Kanaina, is still alive and residing in Honolulu.

LUNALILO'S EDUCATION.

Kamehameha VI was carefully educated and is an accomplished scholar. His tutor was Amos Cooke, an American Missionary, who had charge of the Royal School, where all the chiefs and nobles receive their scholastic training. He speaks several languages, and converses fluently in English, in which latter he is more at ease than in any other. He is "a fellow of infinite jest," and is always good at repartee. As an orator he is a thorough success and never lacks either language or ideas when called upon for an extemporaneous speech. His clear enunciation, good voice and polished manners unite to favorably impress his auditors. In the Hawaiian legislature where he sat, by virtue of his rank, his voice was always heard in the debates when an important measure was under consideration. His dislike for the late King and the latter's retainers rendered him a zealous member of the opposition party and he invariably espoused the cause antagonistic to the King and Ministry.

HIS AMUSEMENTS.

He is an excellent musician and a good vocalist. The guitar is his favorite instrument, though he is a first-rate performer on the piano-forte. He handles the billiard cue with dexterity, and can run up a good string at the game. He is particularly fond of society, and his jovial, good natured ways have made him a general favorite with natives as well as foreigners. He is partial to the saddle and seldom goes anywhere, on a short or long journey, unless on horseback and attended by a man who officiates as his body-guard.

A BACHELOR, AND WHY.

The King-elect is a bachelor. He has been engaged several times to Victoria Kamamalu, a sister of the late King. This lady died about five years ago. It was more the late King's desire to have "Prince Bill" marry his sister than it was the former's wish to espouse Victoria. It was hoped that such an alliance would better perpetuate the Kamehameha dynasty. Victoria was anxious to capture the handsome bachelor, who was her junior several years, and did not allow concealment. Like the worm i' the mud, feed upon her "damaged" cheek, but laid siege to his heart by every art, device and blandishment known to the female mind. The gallant prince, though not reciprocating this ardent attachment, was still willing for state reasons, to unite with her in the bonds of matrimony. The preparations for the royal nuptials were all complete on more than one occasion. A liberal

TROUSSEAU

was imported from Paris, the date was fixed, the marriage feast spread and everybody was ready for the wedding except the bridegroom. "Prince Bill," unhappily, got gloriously drunk on the day fixed for the alliance. Instead of going on his honeymoon he went on

A TERRIBLE SPREE,

and was transported to his home on a wheelbarrow, to the intense chagrin of his affianced and the mortification and disgust of all the chiefs and nobles of the little kingdom. Another day was fixed for the marriage, with the same disastrous conclusion. It is said that after this the Princess became too partial herself to the flowing bowl and drowned her vexation in royal "tanglefoot," seldom enjoying a sober period. Mutual friends still, however, endeavored to bring about the union of Lunalilo and Kamamalu, and might have succeeded had it been possible to get either of them sober enough to stand before the altar. When "Bill" was sober it turned out that "Vic" was drunk, and when "Vic" was sober "Bill" was drunk. Finally the attempt to unite the two branches of the family was abandoned, and the poor Princess, so the unhappy romance runs, drank herself into a premature grave. The young King is therefore yet single, and will add that he is said to be particularly "sweet" on American ladies.

A ROYAL TEMPERANCE LECTURE.

This unhappy propensity of Lunalilo to drink is his only failing. He does not imbibe in the native beverage, kava, which is a strong compound, worse than Jersey lightning and several degrees stronger than Mustang liniment. He favors American Bourbon, and invariably takes it straight, filling his tumbler up like a veteran toper. His royal "benders" are periodical, taking place about once a month and continuing generally about ten days. On the first of the month Lunalilo draws his allowance from his estate, which is very extensive. It is then that his carousals begin. There is nothing selfish about the man, and his immediate friends are always invited to join him in drinking each other's good health. It is related of Lunalilo that some years ago, on account of his extravagant and profligate habits, he was placed under a watchful guardianship and only permitted to expend a limited amount of his income. An island tradition also has it that as far back as 1854 he went on a big spree with Kamehameha III, which resulted in the death of that monarch.

ROYAL JEALOUSY.

As may be inferred from what has been written, the best of feeling did not exist between the late King and Lunalilo. The dislike was mutual. On one occasion, it is said, the King was very much annoyed at a bitter speech which the Prince had delivered in opposition to some ministerial measure before the Legislature. The King sent for Lunalilo to upbraid him for his obstinate course. On the latter's arrival at the palace he observed that from his Majesty's royal nose there trickled a repulsive globule. The King's face was very red and his countenance indicated an approaching storm. No sooner had he begun his angry tirade when Lunalilo exclaimed, "Oh, go and wipe your nose, sir; then I shall be ready to hear you out." This set the courtiers in a roar and summarily ended the interview.

PRINCE ALFRED'S VISIT.

To such an extent was this animosity against Lunalilo nursed by the King that on every occasion the Prince was slighted and snubbed. One of the great events in the history of the nation was the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Honolulu in 1870. The Duke was Captain of the Galatea, and a magnificent reception awaited him. A grand ball was given by the King in his honor, but Lunalilo was not among the invited guests. It was only by accident a few days later that the Prince met the Duke. The latter invited Lunalilo on board his man-of-war and gave him a handsome reception. Lunalilo is very popular with naval officers; and whenever a man-of-war visits the harbor, the Prince is always numbered among the most welcome of the visitors from the shore.

HIS FRIENDS

At one time the Prince preferred the society of Englishmen to Americans. Of late years, however, his most intimate friends and companions are Americans. His warmest supporters in his election to the throne were Americans. Some of them may be here appropriately enumerated. First in order is H. W. Whitney, formerly editor and proprietor of the Commercial Advertiser, whose steadfast advocacy of Lunalilo's claims to the scepter have contributed greatly to the result in his favor. J. O. Carter, who was formerly associated with Whitney on the Advertiser, has also been a devoted adherent of the Prince's cause. H. A. P. Carter his brother, a wealthy commission merchant, is also to be numbered in this band. This gentleman is the "Demosthenes" of Hawaii. He is a great orator and temperance lecturer, though, unfortunately, he has been unable to convert his royal friend. A. F. Judd, a talented young lawyer and a leading member of the opposition party; F. G. Wilder, formerly employed in Wells, Fargo & Co.'s office in this city and now a rich sugar-planter; Curtis J. Lyons, son of one of the original American missionaries, and a clear-headed, energetic, active member of the Legislature; E. P. Adams, the Honolulu auctioneer, whose store was used as a polling-place during the election; P. C. Jones, a well-to-do ship-chandler; A. S. Cartwright, also in the same business, and a host of other prominent gentlemen interested in the welfare and progress of the Hawaiian kingdom, constitute the roll of those who have warmly espoused the cause of the future king.