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Edinburgh: Printed for Constable and Co. and Hurst, Chance and Co. London, 1827. 2 volumes duodecimo (151 × 93 mm). Original green cloth with paper labels to the spines. Somewhat rubbed, endpapers browned, light toning and a scatter of foxing to the contents, but overall a decent better-than-working set in the publisher's binding. Engraved vignettes to the half-titles, folding map as preface to volume I. Originally published ten years previously, this is the "Third Edition, considerably Improved", published in Constable's Miscellany Series. "Considered the best report of Tongan life and culture before the arrival of Christianity the customs of the inhabitants and their inter-island wars, and also examples of Tongan songs and music" (Hill). Mariner had sailed on the privateer Port-au-Prince in 1805, aged 13. "After an adventurous voyage the ship arrived at the Tonga Islands in poor condition, hoping to carry out repairs. The crew met with a hostile reception and many of them were massacred. Mariner, however, was taken under the protection of the principal chief, Finau Ulukalala, who bestowed on him the name of one of his deceased sons, Toki Ukamea, and appointed one of his wives to be Mariner's adopted mother. Mariner's residence in Tonga lasted for four years. During this time, he became thoroughly conversant with the language and customs of this Polynesian people. Using the guns from the Port-au-Prince, and helped by his surviving companions, he took a full and often decisive part in his protector's warlike campaigns against other islands. Eventually times became more peaceful and Toki attained the status of a chief, living on his own cultivated plantations" (ODNB). In 1810 Mariner worked his passage back to England, and became a stockbroker, sometime later becoming embroiled in a forgery scandal, the exchequer bill affair of 1836 41. He died in 1853. The book was extensively reviewed by Southey in the Quarterly Review (April 1817), describing it as "one of the most interesting narratives which we have ever perused", and noting telling affinities between the Finau the Tongan tyrant and the recently deposed French emperor, for example in the "utter disregard for human life by which such men as Finow [sic] and Buonaparte are distinguished." Hill p378. Condition Report Externally Spine fair condition faded with chipped paper labels. Joints good condition solid, worn. Corners good condition bumped and rubbed. Boards good condition original cloth. Page edges good condition. See above and photos. Internally Hinges good condition. Paste downs good condition. End papers good condition. Title good condition foxing. Pages good condition foxing. Binding good condition. See photos Publisher: see above. Publication Date: Third edition Binding: Hardback. Seller Inventory # ABE-1631911003565
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