CHARLES MATTHEWS AT THE SANDWICH ILES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 486, 11 August 1871, Page 3

CHARLES MATTHEWS AT THE SANDWICH ILES.

' Mr. Charles Matthews, the celebrated comedian writing to a friend iu Aucklan >, gives tbe following amusing account of his visit to the Sandwich Islands : - “Sailed for the Sandwich Islands at two, in the Moses Taylor, familiarly- but by no means vulgarly—en itlod the‘Rolling Moses.’ Reached Honolulu, the capitil of the Island of Oahu, and the seat of the Government of the Hawaian Group, on Saturday, the 19th; eighteen days, four thousand aud thirteen miles aud three quarters 1 (accuracyagain, exact as anarchitect’s estimate 4000'. Is. IJd.) Head winds (of course), ever known ; and certainly the roughest. Heavy rolling seas—not a sail, a bird, or a fish sighted; tho only excitement wo had arising from the old novelty of two Thmsdays coming together in one week—two 9ths of February arm-in-arm. At Honolulu, one of the loveliest sp its on earth, I acted one night by command, in the presence of his Majesty Kdimehama V., King of the Sandwich Islands, (not Honky Ponky Wonky Fong, as erroneously reported) and a memorable night it was- On my way to the quaint little Hawaian theatre, situated in a rural lane, iu tho midst of a pretty garden glowing with gaudy tropical flowers, and shaded by cocoa-trees,bananas, banyans, and tamarinds, •d mot tho play-bill of tbe evening. A perambulatory Kanaka (or native black gentleman) walking between two boards (called in London figurativi ly a ‘Sandwich man, hut I ere of course literally so) carried aloft a large illuminated lighted lantern, with the announcement in the Panaka language, to catch the attentionof thecolored inhabitants I found the theatre (to use the technical expression), crammed to suffocation, ’ which merely means very ‘full,’ though, from the state of the thermometer on this occasion, ‘suffocation’ was not so incorrect a description as usual. A really elegant looking audience (tickets 10s. each), evening dresses uniforms of every cut and every country. ‘Chieftesaes’ and ladies of every tinge, in dresses of every coldr, flowers and jewels in profusion, satin playbills,, fans goinp, windows and doors all open, an outside staircase leading straight into the dress circle, without lobby, check-taker, or money-taker. Ivanaka women in the garden below selling bananas by the glare of flaring torches on a sultry tropical moonlight night. The whole tiling was nothing hut ii midsummer night’s dream, And waa it nothing to see a pit-full of kanakas—black, brown, and whiteybrown, all likelv cannibals—showing their white teeth,.grinning and enjoying ‘Patter v. Clatter’ as much ns a few years ago they would have enjoyed tho masting or the biking of a baby. It was-certainly; a page in one’s history never to be forgotten.

. BETSY AT THE BAR —A STORY OP SHOUTING AT CHARLESTON. And tlio harmaiden whispered ' Wer Letter by far, to make flats pay for champagne who bet at the bar. So slily she leered in the face of the fool, who squandered his cash, a mere barmaiden’s tool; as she gave him her hand, did the sweetM'Namara, saying “shout the champagne now, you flat, at the bar.” This is young Lochinvar with a difference; but here is the bar story in prose as it came out in Charleston the other day;- “ The plantiff, one Bohan, a publican, sued a miner named M ‘Cai thy, 15/. the pi ice of champagne supplied to the defendant’s order It appeared that defendant with another miner came to plantiff’s hotel, and made a bet of champagne as to which of the two should first be honoured with a shake of the hand f om plantiil’s barmaid, one Betsy M'Namara. Joyce, the discarded one, in, his evidence, said:—' There was a talk who the young woman would shake hands with, and it was agreed that whoever she favoured should shout one or two bottles of champagne—l am not sure which. All hands in the room stood up, and she Trent and shook hands with Mr. M‘Carthy, He was well satisfied, and called for the champagne. Thou all han's stood up again and she again shook hands widi M'Carthy. She wouldn’t touch any oh) else. At the third time a kiss was proposed, but this was thought too much, so the shaking of hands was substituted. The young woman shook hands with M'Carthy again and then he ran into the bar, and when he came in again he called for the champagne. There was a fourth round, and again M'Carthy got preference. On my oa'h I woul 1 have paid for the champagne it she had shaken hands with me.’ iho imputation of her having exercised her preference .from sordid motives was repudiated by the young lady. ‘ Joyce bet with M'Carthy two bottles of champagne as to which I would shake hands with. 1 shook hands with M'Carthy. He said he would pay for tiie champagne; if it was 100 bottles it did not matter. Joyce lost >he bet, and M'Carthy gained it. I did not say 1 would leave M, Carthy outfln the next round. I told M 'Carthy I could not give my hand were I could not give my heart but since that 1 have changed my mind. I meant that he had the best of me. He sat aiong-sicle of me. and be said if it was 101) bottles lie won'd pay for all. It was not arranged that I should shake hands with M'Carthy. I was not prompted to do so by any cue, but I thought that he was the biggest flat and could afford it the best !” The case was not decided, as a question was ra ael under the Tippling Act, but which is not provided for under the Goldfiel's Licensing Act 1