X 
PREFACE. 
During an absence ef ten years from England, the author 
made copious notes of much that came under his notice, 
and, while residing in the South Seas, kept a daily journal. 
From these papers, from the printed and manuscript 
documents in the possession of the London Missionary 
Society, (to which the most ready access has been afforded,) 
from the very ample communications by the Missionaries 
in the islands, especially his respected colleagues Messrs. 
Barff and Williams, and from information derived by daily 
intercourse for several years with many of the natives, 
who have been identified with the most important events 
of the last thirty years in Tahiti, the present volumes 
have been Written. He has studiously and constantly 
endeavoured to render the accounts accurate, and trusts 
they will prove not only interesting, but useful. 
For the defects that may appear in the execution of 
the work, he feels it necessary to apologize. It has been 
prepared amidst incessant public engagemeiiits, and some 
parts have passed through the press during his absence on 
a distant journey in behalf of the Missionary Society. 
To the Rev. Joseph Fletcher, A. M. of London, who 
amidst his numerous and important engagements, has 
kindly inspected most of the sheets, and to Captain 
R. Elliot, R. N. who has favoured the author with the 
use of his drawings for the embellishment of the Work, 
he takes this opportunity of tendering his sincere and 
grateful acknowledgments. 
