________________________________________________
_ MORE than three years have elapsed since the occurrence of the
events recorded in this volume. The interval, with the exception
of the last few months, has been chiefly spent by the author
tossing about on the wide ocean. Sailors are the only class of
men who now-a-days see anything like stirring adventure; and many
things which to fire-side people appear strange and romantic, to
them seem as common-place as a jacket out at elbows. Yet,
notwithstanding the familiarity of sailors with all sorts of
curious adventure, the incidents recorded in the following pages
have often served, when 'spun as a yarn,' not only to relieve the
weariness of many a night-watch at sea, but to excite the warmest
sympathies of the author's shipmates. He has been, therefore,
led to think that his story could scarcely fail to interest those
who are less familiar than the sailor with a life of adventure.
In his account of the singular and interesting people among whom
he was thrown, it will be observed that he chiefly treats of
their more obvious peculiarities; and, in describing their
customs, refrains in most cases from entering into explanations
concerning their origin and purposes. As writers of travels
among barbarous communities are generally very diffuse on these
subjects, he deems it right to advert to what may be considered a
culpable omission. No one can be more sensible than the author
of his deficiencies in this and many other respects; but when the
very peculiar circumstances in which he was placed are
understood, he feels assured that all these omissions will be
excused.
In very many published narratives no little degree of attention
is bestowed upon dates; but as the author lost all knowledge of
the days of the week, during the occurrence of the scenes herein
related, he hopes that the reader will charitably pass over his
shortcomings in this particular.
In the Polynesian words used in this volume,--except in those
cases where the spelling has been previously determined by
others,--that form of orthography has been employed, which might
be supposed most easily to convey their sound to a stranger. In
several works descriptive of the islands in the Pacific, many of
the most beautiful combinations of vocal sounds have been
altogether lost to the ear of the reader by an over-attention to
the ordinary rules of spelling.
There are a few passages in the ensuing chapters which may be
thought to bear rather bard upon a reverend order of men, the
account of whose proceedings in different quarters of the globe--
transmitted to us through their own hands--very generally, and
often very deservedly, receives high commendation. Such passages
will be found, however, to be based upon facts admitting of no
contradiction, and which have come immediately under the writer's
cognizance. The conclusions deduced from these facts are
unavoidable, and in stating them the author has been influenced
by no feeling of animosity, either to the individuals themselves,
or to that glorious cause which has not always been served by the
proceedings of some of its advocates.
The great interest with which the important events lately
occurring at the Sandwich, Marquesas, and Society Islands, have
been regarded in America and England, and indeed throughout the
world, will, he trusts, justify a few otherwise unwarrantable
digressions.
There are some things related in the narrative which will be
sure to appear strange, or perhaps entirely incomprehensible, to
the reader; but they cannot appear more so to him than they did
to the author at the time. He has stated such matters just as
they occurred, and leaves every one to form his own opinion
concerning them; trusting that his anxious desire to speak the
unvarnished truth will gain for him the confidence of his
readers. 1846. _
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