fe men
should always be guided by circumstances, and act with propriety. Here
we are on an island surrounded by coral reefs, going to elect a queen;
what more appropriate than that her crown should be made of coral."

"The very thing, doctor," cried Malone, with emphasis, "och! it's the
genius ye have! There's all kinds o' coral, red and white, an' we could
mix it up wi' some o' that fine-coloured seaweed to make it purty."

"It could be made pritty enough without seaweed," said Binney, "an' it's
my notion that the women-folk would be best at makin' of it."

"Right, Joe, right, so, if you have no objection, we will leave it to
them," said Dominick, "and now as to the ceremonial?"

"A pursession," suggested Joe Binney.

"Just so," said Hugh Morris, "the very thing as was in my mind."

"And a throne," cried Malone, "there couldn't be a proper quane widout a
throne, you know. The carpenter can make that, anyhow, for there's wood
galore on the island--red, black, an' white. Yis, we must have a grand
throne, cut, an' carved, an' mounted high, so as she'll have two or
three steps to climb up to it."

In regard to the procession and the throne there was considerable
difference of opinion, but difficulties were got over and smoothed down
at last by the tact and urbanity of Dominick, to whom, finally, the
whole question of the coronation was committed. Thus it frequently
happens among men. In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom
enough, usually, to guide in the selection of the fittest man to take
the helm in all important affairs.

And that reminds us that it is high time to terminate this long
digression, and guide our readers back to the beginning of the chapter,
where we stated that the important day had at last arrived.

Happily, in those highly favoured climes weather has not usually to be
taken much into account. The sun arose out of the ocean's breast with
the same unclouded beauty that had marked his rise every morning for a
week previously, and would probably mark it for a week to come. The
sweet scents of the wooded heights floated down on the silver strand;
the sharks ruffled the surface of the lagoon with their black fins, the
birds hopped or flew from palm-tree to mimosa-bush, and the waterfowl
went about according to taste on lazy or whistling wings, intent on
daily business, much as though nothing unusual were "in the air."

But it was otherwise with the human family on Big Island. Unwo