Jerry and I and the doctor, as usual, went on shore to see what was to be seen, and this time we were accompanied by Mr Brand.  The ship was to remain in the harbour for several days, and we were very anxious to make a journey to some distance into the interior, that we might see the natives as they were away from the centre of civilisation.  We had introductions here to several gentlemen, who promised to forward our views.  We were amused with the extraordinary appearance of the natives in the streets--barbarism and civilisation met together.  The former dress of the men was the taro, a kilt joined between the legs, so as to form a wide and very short pair of breeches.  Some to this now add a blue shirt, sometimes with the tails tucked in, sometimes flowing gracefully.  Some wear cast-off coats, or jackets, or trousers, of Europeans; but few of the common people have more than one of these garments on at a time, and still fewer ever encumber themselves with shoes and stockings.  The women had on generally long blue chemises, or gowns and bonnets of every variety of colour and shape, and put on in all sorts of ways--some placing them hind part before; indeed, they had apparently exercised their ingenuity to make them as unbecoming as possible.  Formerly, we were told, their head-dress was a wreath of flowers, which suited their dark skins, and had a very pretty effect. The chiefs, however, and their wives, were dressed in European costume, and the king in public wears the Windsor uniform.  It is supposed that the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands derive their origin from the Malays, and that at a very remote period a Malay junk, or fleet of junks, was cast on those shores.  Their skins have the same dark hue, and their features the same form, as the Malays of the present day.  It is said that this group is becoming rapidly depopulated.  The people themselves have taken up the idea that their race is to become extinct, and seem willing to yield to their fate without a struggle.  The diseases introduced by Europeans have tended to cause this, but they themselves have many pernicious customs.  Among others, no sooner does a native feel himself attacked with fever than he rushes into the sea, or into the nearest cold stream, as he fancies, to cool himself.  The result is that--the pores being closed instead of kept open and perspiration encouraged--death comes in a few hours.  Among our friends here was Mr Callard, a missionary, who had resided in the island for some years.  He has gone into a hamlet, and found not a person remaining alive.  On one occasion he met an old man sitting at the door of a hut; he asked where the rest of the people were.