University of Virginia Library

“This Journal is freshly and cleverly written, and touches on a scene
little hackneyed by journalists or travellers. He writes unaffectedly on
most subjects and often with great animation.'

“This is an unpretending, lively, little volume. The Journal adds something
to our previous knowledge, and that, in an amusing manner.”

“The subject has the advantage of novelty; as, although an extensive
commerce is carried on along the coast by British merchants, the captains
they employ are not exactly of a literary turn; neither do the officers of our
royal navy appear anxious to give the public the result of their experience
—weighed down, perhaps, by the pestiferous climate and the arduous character
of their labors; whilst the dreaded pestilence effectually stops the
tourist in search of the picturesque. To our recollection, the last dozen
years have only produced three books touching upon Western Africa; that
of Holman, the blind traveller, who called at Sierra Leone and Cape Coast
Castle, but of course saw nothing; Ranken's `White Man's Grave,' which
was confined to Sierra Leone, and which preferred the attractions of literary
effect to solid accuracy; with Dr. Madden's semi-official reports, which
were obnoxious to the same remark with a bias superadded. Hence, the
`Journal of an African Cruiser' is not only fresh in its subject, but informing
in its matter, especially in relation to the experiment of Liberia. It
has the further advantage of giving us an American view of the slave trade
and the Negro character, without the prejudices of the southern planter, or
the fanaticism of the abolitionist.”

“As pleasant and intelligent a specimen of American Literature written
in a candid, observant, and gentlemanly spirit, as has appeared since first
the Literary Gazette welcomed Washington Irving to the British Shore.”

“A very entertaining volume, a worthy leader of the series of American
Books.”

“We pronounce it a work of uncommon interest and merit.”

“This is the title of a book just issued by Wiley & Putnam, as No. 1 of
their proposed Library of American Books, a series intended to embrace
original works of merit and interest, from the pens of American
authors. The design can scarcely fail to be successful. We have a firm
faith that books well worth reading,—as well worth it as English books of
the same class,—can be produced in this country; and such books, and
such only, we presume Messrs. Wiley & Putnam intend to publish in their
series. This first number is well worthy of its place. It is the journal of
an officer on board an American cruiser on the coast of Africa,—and relates
to a field hitherto almost entirely unnoticed by travelling authors. It is
written in a plain, straightforward, unambitious style, and evinces a very
keen talent for observation, and sound judgment and enlightened discrimination.
The book is edited by Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of the most
gifted writers in this country, whose works, we trust, will find a place in
this series. The volume is very handsomely printed, and sold at fifty
cents.”

“This is a pleasantly written Journal of a cruise to the western coast of
Africa, and embodies a good amount of valuable information. The author
spent some time at Liberia, and gives quite a flattering account of the colony.
We like the spirit of the work, and especially admire the simplicity
and grace of its style.”