Around the World with a King. By William N. Armstrong.
(W. Heinemann. 7s. 6d. net.)—The King who went round the world was King Kala.kaua, last King of Hawaii, and Mr. Arm- strong was one of his Cabinet. Ile tells the story of his Majesty's journeyings with a certain suspicion of satire. Indeed, it was difficult not to feel that the Royalty was something of a joke. This, of course, does not make the book less amusing. But it is not without its value. It is a curious picture of a vanishing race. Kalaka.ua began his troubles by having himself crowned. Then "Divine Right" notions possessed bin,—he would have been a "Jacobite" if Ile had lived here. Then old paganism cropped up. Kalakaua, anticipated the inevitable end by dying of pneumonia. His sister, Lilitrokalani, who "had all his defects of character and, in addition, a blind stubbornness of will," was deposed, and now, as Mr. Armstrong tells us, Hawaii is " the advanced picket- line of American civilization in the Pacific." Still "a suspicion of satire "?
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