VI 
PREFACE. 
anticipations of ultimate success are strengthened by the 
elfects that already reward his exertions. 
The results of efforts combined for the accomplish¬ 
ment of these objects, though various, have been such 
as materially to affect some of the most interesting 
portions of the human race. Their influence is at the 
present moment felt among the aborigines of Africa, the 
victims of colonial slavery, the millions of civilized China 
and India, the population of the inhospitable regions of 
Siberia and Greenland, and the inhabitants of the distant 
islands of the South Sea. 
In this latter part of the world the author has spent a 
number of years, endeavouring to promote the knowledge 
of Christianity among the natives ; and while engaged 
in this pursuit, he regarded it as perfectly consistent with 
his office, and compatible with its duties, to collect, as 
opportunity offered, information on various subjects 
relative to the country and its inhabitants. 
Although circumscribed in geographical extent, and 
comparatively insignificant in amount of population, the 
South Sea Islands have been regarded with unusual 
interest ever since their discovery; and the descriptions 
already given to the public, of the loveliness of their 
general appearance, and the peculiar character and en¬ 
gaging manners of their Inhabitants, have excited a 
strong desire to obtain additional information relative to 
the varied natural phenomena of the Islands themselves; 
the early history ; the moral, intellectual, and physical 
character of the people, and the nature of their ancient 
institutions. 
All their usages of antiquity having been so entirely 
superseded by the new order of things that has followed 
the subversion of their former system, the knowledge 
