INTRODUCTION. 
The relations of thefe feveral voyages having excited a 
great fpirit of enquiry, and awakened an eager curiofity 
to every thing that can elucidate the hiftory of mankind, I 
flatter myfelf, that no apology is neceffary for my bringing 
forward the following Work, whofe Novelty and Authenticity 
will, I truft, infure it a favourable reception. 
The iflands which I am about to defcribe were not dif- 
covered in confequence of any premeditated defign ; the 
India packet, which Captain Wilson commanded, being 
in a temped: wrecked on their coaft; and it is folely to the 
benevolent character of their inhabitants, we owe the fafe 
return of our countrymen, that compofed the crew of the 
Antelope; —by the means of whom I am enabled to lay 
before the Public an account of this lingular people. 
Nothing can be more interefting to Man than the hiftory 
of Man. The navigators of the different ages have pictured 
to us our own fpecies in a variety of lights.—The manners 
of civilized nations bear a ftrong refemblance to each other; 
it is the vices or virtues of individuals, that create any 
general diftindfion;—whereas in countries, which fcience, or 
the gentler arts, have never reached, we obferve a won¬ 
derful difparity; fome are found under that darknefs and 
abfolute barbarifm, from the fight of which humanity 
gladly turns afide ; —wliilft others, unaided, unaffifted, but 
by mere natural good fenfe, have not only emerged from 
this gloomy fhade, but nearly attained that order, propriety, 
and 
via 
