MANY EXTEND FELICITATIONS TO QUEEN ON HER BIRTHDAY
TO LILIUOKALANI
On her seventy-fifth birthday
No monarch in the wide, wide world,
Deposed or on the throne,
Can boast of the loyal subjects,
Or the faithful friends you own.
Not alone of your own dear islands,
But of every race and clime,
You have hosts of fervent admirers,
Whose love dims not with time.
May the years touch you ever so lightly,
And your life be filled with peace,
Till the One above with His heavenly love,
Bids all our troubles cease.
C. D. W.
Pretty homage was paid to Queen Liliuokalani at her Beretania street mansion this morning. It was the occasion of her seventy-fifth birthday. With those about her whom she has loved for many years, those to whom she has turned in the turbulent and calm periods of her life the beloved queen opened the doors of her home for a public reception this morning.
The band played and the people came. Scores entered her residence and greeted her. Her guests this morning are to be counted among the residents and strangers, persons of prominence and persons in the obscure paths of life, the rich and the penniless, the light and dark—all came to meet the queen, to pay their respects to her and do her homage.
Kapellmeister Berger’s band played near the door of the mansion. Mr. Lilikalani, a pictureque figure with his many medals of honor reminiscent of the days when he was the lord high chamberlain of King Kalakaua’s court, introduced the guests, while Princess Kawananakoa, wonderfully beautiful in her gown of black chantilly lace and white charmeuse with the feather lei of royalty draped about her neck, assisted the queen in receiving.
The queen filled well her part as hostess. A flush of delight was on her face as she met the many guests. The splendor of the scene surrounding her, the ferns and flowers of many colors, the royal kahilis, the emblems of a monarchy that is no more, accentuated the fragile beauty of the queen. Old age has put its mark upon her, no doubt, but it has been with a gentle touch; so gentle that the woman who celebrated her seventy-fifth birthday today feels that she will live to see many more years roll by.
It was, in all its ways, one of the prettiest receptions the queen has ever given; and it will probably be remembered when the others are not. At a little breakfast birthday party she was given at her home this morning, when a few of the persons she has known for many years, were present, it was predicted that this morning’s reception would be the most successful. Present at the breakfast were the Mesdames C. S. Holloway, C. P. Iaukea, August Ahrens and J. A. Dominis; and Col. Sam Parker and Allan Herbert.
The queen’s entire home was decorated. Flowers that truly embody the spirit of Hawaii were everywhere—ilima leis, plumaria, maile, roses, lilies, lehua, hibiscus, gorgeous bowls of them, gifts from the queen’s friends. Above the constant murmur of the throng arose the haunting chant of Hawaiian attendants, while the band played oldtime melodies on the lawn. It was an imposing sight, and truly gratifying to behold the love and esteem in which the queen is held from the busiest person of this thriving territory who took the time to go, to the veriest little waif who went to wish her well.
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9/2/1913, p. 1)
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XXI, Number 6679, Page 1. September 2, 1913.
Filed under: Alii, Aloha Aina, English Newspaper, Mele Tagged: C. D. W., Chronicling America, Liliuokalani, Royal Hawaiian Band, Washington Place
