University of Virginia Library

PREFACE.

The reader of this book will very naturally be disposed
to ask the question, why the geographies, histories,
and other works of a similar character, have
never made any mention of the regions and events
that compose its subject. The answer is obvious
enough, and ought to satisfy every mind, however
“inquiring.” The fact is, that the authors of the different
works to which there is any allusion, most probably
never heard there were any such places as the
Reef, Rancocus Island, Vulcan's Peak, the Crater, and
the other islands of which so much is said in our pages.
In other words, they knew nothing about them.

We shall very freely admit that, under ordinary
circumstances, it would be prima facie evidence
against the existence of any spot on the face of this
earth, that the geographies took no notice of it. It will

be remembered, however, that the time was, and that
only three centuries and a half since, when the geographies
did not contain a syllable about the whole of
the American continent; that it is not a century since
they began to describe New Zealand, New Holland,
Tahiti, Oahu, and a vast number of other places, that
are now constantly alluded to, even in the daily journals.
Very little is said in the largest geographies, of
Japan, for instance; and it may be questioned if they
might not just as well be altogether silent on the subject,
as for any accurate information they do convey.
In a word, much as is now known of the globe, a
great deal still remains to be told, and we do not see
why the “inquiring mind” should not seek for information
in our pages, as well as in some that are
ushered in to public notice by a flourish of literary
trumpets, that are blown by presidents, vice-presidents
and secretaries of various learned bodies.

One thing we shall ever maintain, and that in the
face of all who may be disposed to underrate the value
of our labours, which is this:—there is not a word in
these volumes which we now lay before the reader,
as grave matter of fact, that is not entitled to the most
implicit credit. We scorn deception. Lest, however,
some cavillers may be found, we will present a few
of those reasons which occur to our mind, on the spur
of the moment, as tending to show that everything
related here might be just as true as Cook's voyages

themselves. In the first place, this earth is large, and
has sufficient surface to contain, not only all the islands
mentioned in our pages, but a great many more.
Something is established when the possibility of any
hypothetical point is placed beyond dispute. Then,
not one half as much was known of the islands of the
Pacific, at the close of the last, and at the commencement
of the present century, as is known to-day. In
such a dearth of precise information, it may very well
have happened that many things occurred touching
which we have not said even one word. Again, it
should never be forgotten that generations were born,
lived their time, died, and have been forgotten, among
those remote groups, about which no civilized man
ever has, or ever will hear anything. If such be admitted
to be the facts, why may not all that is here
related have happened, and equally escape the knowledge
of the rest of the civilized world? During the
wars of the French revolution, trifling events attracted
but little of the general attention, and we are not to
think of interests of this nature, in that day, as one
would think of them now.

Whatever may be thought of the authenticity of its
incidents, we hope this book will be found not to be totally
without a moral. Truth is not absolutely necessary
to the illustration of a principle, the imaginary some
times doing that office quite as effectually as the actual.

The reader may next wish to know why the wonderful

events related in these volumes have so long
been hidden from the world. In answer to this we
would ask if any one can tell how many thousands of
years the waters have tumbled down the cliffs at Niagara,
or why it was that civilized men heard of the
existence of this wonderful cataract so lately as only
three centuries since. The fact is, there must be a
beginning to everything; and now there is a beginning
to the world's knowing the history of Vulcan's Peak,
and the Crater. Lest the reader, however, should feel
disposed to reproach the past age with having been
negligent in its collection of historical and geological
incidents, we would again remind him of the magnitude
of the events that so naturally occupied its attention.
It is scarcely possible, for instance, for one who did
not live forty years ago to have any notion how completely
the world was engaged in wondering at Napoleon
and his marvellous career, which last contained
even more extraordinary features than anything related
here; though certainly of a very different character.
All wondering, for near a quarter of a century, was
monopolized by the French Revolution and its consequences.

There are a few explanations, however, which are
of a very humble nature compared with the principal
events of our history, but which may as well be given
here. The Woolston family still exists in Pennsylvania,
and that, by the way, is something towards corroborating

the truth of our narrative. Its most distinguished
member is recently dead, and his journal has
been the authority for most of the truths here related.
He died at a good old age, having seen his three-score
years and ten, leaving behind him, in addition to a very
ample estate, not only a good character, which means
neither more nor less than what “the neighbours,”
amid their ignorance, envy, love of detraction, jealousy
and other similar qualities, might think proper to say
of him, but the odour of a well-spent life, in which he
struggled hard to live more in favour with God, than
in favour with man. It was remarked in him, for the
last forty years of his life, or after his return to Bucks,
that he regarded all popular demonstrations with distaste,
and, as some of his enemies pretended, with
contempt. Nevertheless, he strictly acquitted himself
of all his public duties, and never neglected to vote.
It is believed that his hopes for the future, meaning in
a social and earthly sense, were not very vivid, and
he was often heard to repeat that warning text of
Scripture which tells us, “Let him that thinketh he
standeth, take heed lest he fall.”

The faithful, and once lovely partner of this principal
personage of our history is also dead. It would
seem that it was not intended they should be long
asunder. But their time was come, and they might
almost be said to have departed in company. The
same is true of Friends Robert and Martha, who have

also filled their time, and gone hence, it is to be hoped
to a better world. Some few of the younger persons
of our drama still exist, but it has been remarked of
them, that they avoid conversing of the events of their
younger days. Youth is the season of hope, and hope
disappointed has little to induce us to dwell on its deceptive
pictures.

If those who now live in this republic, can see any
grounds for a timely warning in the events here
recorded, it may happen that the mercy of a divine
Creator may still preserve that which he has hitherto
cherished and protected.

It remains only to say that we have endeavoured to
imitate the simplicity of Captain Woolston's journal,
in writing this book, and should any homeliness of
style be discovered, we trust it will be imputed to that
circumstance.