There are two good photographers
and two booksellers. I don't think that plateglass fronts are yet
to be seen. Many of the storekeepers employ native "assistants;"
but the natives show little aptitude for mercantile affairs, or
indeed for the "splendid science" of money-making generally, and in
this respect contrast with the Chinamen, who, having come here as
Coolies, have contrived to secure a large share of the small traffic
of the islands. Most things are expensive, but they are good. I
have seen little of such decided rubbish as is to be found in the
cheap stores of London and Edinburgh, except in tawdry artificial
flowers. Good black silks are to be bought, and are as essential to
the equipment of a lady as at home. Saddles are to be had at most
of the stores, from the elaborate Mexican and Californian saddle,
worth from 30 to 50 dollars, to a worthless imitation of the English
saddle, dear at five. Boots and shoes, perhaps because in this
climate they are a mere luxury, are frightfully dear, and so are
books, writing paper, and stationery generally; a sheet of Bristol
board, which we buy at home for 6d., being half a dollar here. But
it is quite a pleasure to make purchases in the stores.
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