VBBFAOE. vii 



render it as attractive as I could by artistic illustratious, 

 some of them of scientific interest, wliicli have been great 

 consumers of time. This has been a source of considerable 

 delay. 



If the rapidity of our Cruise did not allow me much 

 opportunity of studying the manners and social cha- 

 racteristics of the different islands, it kept me thoroughly 

 engaged in forming and preserving a considerable collection 

 of utensils, weapons, birds, ferns, shells, and other objects 

 of interest. Of these some have been thought of sufficient 

 value to be placed in the British Museum, while the 

 great bulk, now arranged in the museum at Maidstone, 

 contributes, as I am assiured, much to the amusement and 

 instruction of its inhabitants. In collecting, arranging, and 

 preparing these materials — rather troublesome work on 

 board ship, where room is scant, sea-water sometimes 

 intrudes, and steadiness ti la Bessemer is unknown — I was 

 assisted by Mr. Wall, as taxidermist, and Mr. Brazier as 

 shell-collector. 



I must not omit here to return my thanks to the various 

 missionaries I came in contact with for their personal 

 civihties to me, and also for the notes they furnished me 

 respecting the islands in which they resided. If I have had 

 occasion to criticise some of them it is because, while 

 believing them to be honestly devoted to the great task of 

 civilising the natives of these regions, I have thought it a 

 duty to record my impressions as to why they mar their 

 own purpose, and expend their energies, sometimes, in an 



