English present, including our own party, wore evening dress, and the officers of the ‘Fantome’ were in uniform.  Every door and window was open, there was a large verandah to sit in, a garden to stroll about in between the dances, and an abundance of delicious iced lemonade—­very different from the composition thus named which is generally met with in London assemblies—­to drink.  At half-past twelve, when people were beginning to disperse, we took our departure, Captain Long taking us off to the yacht in his boat.

There is to be another ball on Thursday night, for which everybody is most anxious that we should stay, as it is to be rather a large affair.  In order that you may see the Hawaiian fashion of sending out cards, I copy the form of invitation we received:—­

The pleasure of the company of Mr. and Mrs. Thos.  Brassey is requested at a Subscription Ball, at the Hawaiian Hotel,

ON THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 4, 1877, AT 8 O’CLOCK.

Respectfully, H.A.  Widemann,

FOR THE COMMITTEE.

Mrs. Jas. Makee and Mrs. J.S.  McGrew will kindly act as matrons
of the evening.

Tuesday, January 2nd.—­At eleven o’clock, the King, who was rather better, went on board the ‘Fantome,’ saw the men at quarters, and witnessed the firing of a couple of shots at a target, and shortly before twelve paid us a visit, accompanied by the Prince Leleiohoku and others.  His Majesty is a tall, fine-looking man, with pleasant manners, and speaks English perfectly and fluently.  He and the Prince visited and examined every corner of the yacht, and looked, I think, at almost every object on board.  The pictures, curiosities, engines, and our various little contrivances for economising space, seemed to interest them the most.  The inspection occupied at least an hour and a half; and when it was over, we had a long chat on deck on various subjects.  The Prince of Wales’s visit to India, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s voyage round the world, were much discussed, I think the King would like to use them as a precedent, and see a little more of the world himself.  His voyage to, and stay in America, he thoroughly enjoyed.

It was two o’clock before our visitors left; and a quarter of an hour later the Queen and her sister arrived.  Her Majesty and her sister made quite as minute an inspection of the yacht as her royal consort and his brother had done before them.  We had arranged to be ‘at home’ to all our kind friends in Honolulu at four o’clock, at which hour precisely the Governor sent the Royal band on board to enliven the proceedings.  Soon our other visitors began to arrive; but the Queen appeared to be so well amused that she did not leave until five o’clock.  By-half-past six, the last of our guests (over 150 in number) had said farewell, and there only remained the band to be shown round and feasted after their labours.  Tom went on board the ‘Fantome’ to dine, and to meet the British, French, German, and American representatives.  We went to the hotel; and I must say that I never in my life felt more thoroughly worn out than I did that night, after standing about and receiving and entertaining all the day.