1817 Account of Natives of TONGA ISLANDS 2 VOLS antique Vocabulary of Language

An Account of the Natives of the Tonga Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean.
With an Original Grammar and Vocabulary of Their Language.
Compiled and Arranged from the Extensive Communications of Mr. William Mariner, Several Years Resident in Those Islands

by Martin, John

London: John Murray; 1817


2 volumes

 lix, [1], 460; [2], 412, [212] pp.

With copper-engraved frontispiece in Vol. I


Original speckled calf boards rebacked with modern leather and fresh lettering pieces, marbled endpapers.

First Edition.


Fifteen year-old William Mariner sailed to the South Seas aboard the Port au Prince in 1805, seeking whales and Spanish shipping. The crew mutinied, and were then murdered by Tonga natives, only Mariner surviving. Taken prisoner, he was adopted as the King's son, and lived on the island for four years before his rescue.

The present account is important not only for the narrative but also the very extensive vocabulary of the Tonga language at the end of the second volume.

A map was added to the second edition of 1818.

- Forbes 487; Hill 1075-

Armorial bookplate of John Bolton in Volume I.

Rubbing at extremities, some scuffs and abrasions; some abrasions and repair to marbled endpapers, offsetting to title page from frontispiece, a few dogeared leaves, faint dampstaining at top edge of Volume I slightly affecting top margin of some leaves; very good.

Size 5 1/2 by 8 1/2"

Text in English
================================================



Thank You

Refund Policy: We will issue a FULL REFUND, 100% money back if you are not satisfied with your purchase. Items must be returned to us within 20 days in order to receive a refund or replacement. Buyer is responsible for shipping costs.