PREFACE. IX 



My object, however, was merely to complete 

 a narrative which might be read to m.y relatives 

 and friends, in the family circle, by the home- 

 stead fireside : fancying, indeed, that it would 

 really interest and amuse those, whose knowledge 

 of such incidents in a whaleman's cruise, both 

 on the sea and land, was limited. 



Publishing a book was not, therefore, within 

 the object aimed at ; but through the advice of 

 many kind (possibly, too partial) friends, I have 

 been induced to submit the manuscript to my 

 generous and enterprising publishers, who, de- 

 spite its imperfections, have determined to pre- 

 sent it to the public. 



Such being the ground upon which I have now 

 come forward as an author, I trust that due 

 allowance will be made for the literary imperfec- 

 tions of my book, when I further state, that the 

 entire matter comprised in my journal was writ- 

 ten- at sea, on a sailor's chest, amongst seamen, 

 by night and by day, amid storm and calm, in 

 localities situate between the latitudes 41° 30' 

 north and 45° south, and longitudes 71° west and 



