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.
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