fulness and fidelity. We prepose to give some extracts from the work, and not to enter into a critical examination of the performance. It seems that Mr. Melville was, at that time, a sailor on a whaling voyage an occupation, we imagine, but illy suited to his taste, even when he followed it under the most favorable circumstances, and for what reason chosen by him we are not informed. After a long voyage the restraints of this mode of life became insupportable to him. He paints the tedious hours of a six months' cruise, out of sight of land, and destitute of vegetables and fresh provisions, in language which no doubt any seaman or voyager will readily appreciate; and when his vessel was turned towards the Marquesas Islands, he felt an irresistible desire to witness the wonderful things concerning them described by old writers. "Naked houris-cannibal banquets-groves of cocoa-nut-coral reefs tattooed chiefs and bamboo temples; sunny valleys planted with bread-fruit trees-carved canoes dancing on the flashing blue waters-savage woodlands guarded by horrible islands-heathenish rites and human sacrifices"-he informs us were strangely jumbled in his imagination during the passage from their cruising-ground. As it turned out, he had ample oppor tunity to inform himself of the reality of these wonderful matters. Entering into the beautiful bay of Nukuheva, under the pilotage of a drunken deserter from the British Navy, they discovered at anchor the naval force under Rear-Admiral de Petit Thouars, who had, a short time previous, taken possession of the whole group of islands in the name of his government. As the " Dolly" "sailed up the bay she was met by a flotilla of canoes from the surrounding shores, but a far more astonishing spectacle soon demanded their attention. "I was somewhat astonished to perceive that among the number of natives that surrounded us, not a female was to be seen. At that time I was ignorant of the fact that by the operation of the taboo,' the use of canoes in all parts of the island is rigorously prohibited to the entire sex, for whom it is death even to be seen entering one when hauled on shore; consequently, whenever a Marquesan lady voyages by water, she puts in requisition the paddles of her own fair body. "We had approached within a mile and a half, perhaps, of the foot of the bay, when some of the islanders, who by this time had managed to scramble aboard of us at the risk of swamping their canoes, directed our attention to a singular commotion in the water ahead of the vessel. At first I imagined it to be produced by a shoal of fish sporting on the surface, but our savage friends assured us that it was caused by a shoal of whinhenies,' (young girls,) who in this manner were coming off from the shore to welcome us. As they drew nearer, and I watched the rising and sinking of their forms, and beheld the uplifted right arm bearing above the water the girdle of tappa, and their long, dark hair trailing beside them as they swam, I almost fancied they could be nothing else than so many mermaids, and very like mermaids they behaved too. "We were still some distance from the beach, and under slow headway, when we sailed right into the midst of these swimming nymphs, and they boarded us at every quarter; many seizing hold of the chain-plates and springing into the chains; the vessel in her course, catching at the others, at the peril of being run over by bob-stays, and wreathing their slender forms about the ropes, hung suspended in the air. All of them at length succeeded in getting up the ship's side, where they clung dripping with the brine and glowing from their bath, their jet-black tresses streaming over their shoulders, and half enveloping their otherwise naked forms. vivacity, laughing gaily at one another, and There they hung, sparkling with savage chatting away with infinite glee. Nor were they idle the while, for each one performed the simple offices of the toilet for the other. Their luxuriant locks, wound up and twisted into the smallest possible compass, were freed from the briny element; the whole person carefully dried, and, from a little round shell that passed from hand to hand, anointed with a fragrant oil their adornments were completed by passing a few loose folds of white tappa, in a modest cincture, around the waist. Thus arrayed they no longer hesitated, but flung themselves lightly over the bulwarks, and were quickly frolicking about the decks. Many of them went forward, perching upon the head-rails or running out upon the bowsprit, while others seated themselves upon the taffrail, or reclined at full length upon the boats. "Their appearance perfectly amazed me; their extreme youth, the light, clear brown of their complexions, their delicate features and inexpressibly graceful figures, their softly moulded limbs, and free unstudied action, seemed as strange as beautiful. "The Dolly' was fairly captured; and never I will say was vessel carried before Our author seems to have been instantly charmed by the naïve manners of the rude islanders, and probably disgusted by harsh treatment and the confinement of a long voyage, he formed the design of deserting from the ship and hiding in the mountains from the pursuit which he apprehended. He thus pleads the necessity of the case as a justification for the desertion. "When I entered on board the Dolly, I signed, as a matter of course, the ship's articles, thereby voluntarily engaging and legally binding myself to serve in a certain capacity for the period of the voyage; and, special considerations apart, I was of course bound to fulfill the agreement. But in all contracts, if one party fail to perform his share of the compact, is not the other virtually absolved from his liability? Who is there who will not answer in the affirm ative? 66 Having settled the principle, then, let me apply it to the particular case in question. In numberless instances had not only the implied but the specified conditions of the articles been violated on the part of the ship in which I served. The usage on board of her was tyrannical; the sick had been inhumanly neglected; the provisions had been doled out in scanty allowance; and her cruises were unreasonably protracted. The captain was the author of these abuses; it was in vain to think that he would either remedy them, or alter his conduct, which was arbitrary and violent in the extreme. His prompt reply to all complaints and remonstrances was the butt-end of a hand-spike, so convincingly administered as effectually to silence the aggrieved party. "To whom could we apply for redress? We had left both law and equity on the other side of the Cape; and, unfortunately, with a very few exceptions, our crew was composed of a parcel of dastardly and meanspirited wretches, divided among themselves, and only united in enduring with out resistance the unmitigated tyranny of the captain. It would have been mere madness for any two or three of the number, unassisted by the rest, to attempt making a stand against his ill-usage. They would only have called down upon themselves the particular vengeance of this Lord of the Plank,' and subjected their shipmates to additional hardships. "But, after all, these things could have been endured awhile, had we entertained the hope of being speedily delivered from them by the due completion of the term of our servitude. But what a dismal prospect awaited us in this quarter! The longevity of Cape Horn whaling voyages is proverbial, frequently extending over a period of four or five years. who, forced by the united influences of "Some long-haired, bare-necked youths, Captain Marryatt and hard times, embark at Nantucket for a pleasure excursion to the Pacific, and whose anxious mothers provide them with bottled milk for the occasion, oftentimes return very respectable middle-aged gentlemen. "I may here state, and on my faith as an honest man, that though more than three years have elapsed since I left this identical vessel, she still continues in the Pacific, and but a few days since I saw her reported in the papers as having touched at the Sandwich Islands, previous to going on the coast of Japan." were The inducements to " emigrate certainly of a serious character, and he concluded to risk the chance of being broiled and eaten by some huge chief of strong digestive organs. Toby, a fellowsailor, possessing a daring and resolute character, seemed to be of the same opinion, and taking advantage of a holiday excursion on shore granted by their captain, they fled to the woods, with a few sea-biscuit and a pound of tobacco stowed away in the folds of their dress, and a few yards of calico to propitiate the savages whom they very reasonably expected to meet. Their course was directed to a high mountainous ridge, where they hoped to be secure from pursuit and from whence they could watch the proceedings in the harbor. After a hard day's labor, and often at the risk of breaking their necks, they reached the highest point in the mountain, at an altitude, the author supposes, of three thousand feet above the level of the sea. From this point the adventurers hoped to discover the large bays of Happar and Typee on the opposite side of the island, but were disappointed, inasmuch as the land in that direction appeared to retain its general elevation as far as the eye could reach. Here they were in a dilemma. They had but a day's provisionswere beyond the reach of the spontaneous fruits of the island-to retrace their steps would end in certain capture; to proceed might lead to death by starvation. With sailor-like hardihood they resolved to venture on, towards the interior of the island, through solitudes " apparently untenanted since the morning of the creation." Following a scarcely perceptible path, they were suddenly stopped by its termination at the verge of a deep ravine. Descending this by the aid of tangled roots and limbs of trees, they found a resting-place for the night on a shelving rock, washed by the waters of the cataract. Cold and dripping with water the morning found them sad but resolute; and after surmounting a variety of difficulties, they at last came in sight of the sea, between which and themselves lay a smiling valley bedecked with all the rich hues of Paradise. But to reach this Elysian vale was not an easy task. The only path-if path it might be called-was along or in the channel of a stream which dashed and tumbled through gorges between high rocks and down dark precipices hundreds of feet in depth. We quote a few paragraphs to show with what resolution the deserters surmounted the obstacles in their journey, premising that they had been four days from the ship, and were worn down with hunger and fatigue. "After an hour's painful progress, we reached the verge of another fall, still loftier than the preceding, and flanked both above and below with the same steep masses of rock, presenting, however, here and there narrow, irregular ledges, supporting a shallow soil, on which grew a variety of bushes and trees, whose bright verdure contrasted beautifully with the foamy waters that flowed between them. 66 Toby, who invariably acted as pioneer, now proceeded to reconnoitre. On his return, he reported that the shelves of rock on our right would enable us to gain with little risk the bottom of the cataract. Accordingly, leaving the bed of the stream at the very point where it thundered down, we began crawling along one of these sloping ledges until it carried us to within a few feet of another that inclined downward at a still sharper angle, and upon which, by assisting each other, we managed to alight in safety. We warily crept along this, steadying ourselves by the naked roots of the shrubs that clung to every fissure. As we proceeded, the narrow path became still more contracted, rendering it difficult for us to maintain our footing, until suddenly, as we reached an angle of the wall of rock where we had expected it to widen, we perceived to our consternation that a yard or two further on it abruptly terminated at a place we could not possibly hope to pass. "Toby as usual led the van, and in silence I waited to learn from him how he proposed to extricate us from this new difficulty. "Well, my boy,' I exclaimed, after the expiration of several minutes, during which time my companion had not uttered a word, What's to be done now? probably the best thing we could do in the "He replied in a tranquil tone, that present strait was to get out of it as soon as possible. "Yes, my dear Toby, but tell me how we are to get out of it.' "Something in this sort of style,' he replied; and at the same moment to my horror he slipped sideways off the rock, and, as I then thought, by good fortune branches of a species of palm tree, that merely, alighted among the spreading shooting its hardy roots along a ledge below, curved its trunk upwards into the air, and presented a thick mass of foliage about twenty feet below the spot where we had thus suddenly been brought to a standstill. I involuntarily held my breath, expecting to see the form of my companion, after being sustained for a moment by the branches of the tree, sink through their frail support, and fall headlong to the bottom. To my surprise and joy, however, he recovered himself, and disentangling his limbs from the fractured branches, he peered out from his leafy bed, and shouted lustily, Come on, my hearty, there is no other alternative and with this he ducked beneath the foliage, and slipping down the trunk, stood in a moment at least fifty feet beneath me, upon the broad shelf of rock from which sprung the tree he had descended. "What would I not have given at that moment to have been by his side? The feat he had just accomplished seemed little less than miraculous, and I could hardly credit the evidence of my senses when I saw the wide distance that a single daring act had so suddenly placed between us. "Toby's animating come on!' again sounded in my ears, and dreading to lose all confidence in myself if I remained meditating upon the step, I once more gazed down to assure myself of the relative bearing of the tree and my own position, and then closing my eyes and uttering one comprehensive ejaculation of prayer, I inclined myself over towards the abyss, and after one breathless instant fell with a crash into the tree, the branches snapping and crackling with my weight, as I sunk lower and lower among them, until I was stopped by coming in contact with a sturdy limb. "In a few moments I was standing at the foot of the tree, manipulating myself all over with a view of ascertaining the extent of the injuries I had received. To my surprise the only effects of my feat were a few slight contusions too trifling to care about." They were soon met by another trifling obstacle in the shape of a precipice of three hundred feet descent, and getting over this in a similar manner, they reach ed the head of a valley filled with all natural beauties and fruitfulness. It was in this valley that Mr. Melville passed the four months journalized in these volumes. It is occupied by the Typees, who were reputed to be the most savage and cruel of the cannibal tribes inhabiting the island. All other tribes were hostile to them, and enemies surrounded them on every side. We cannot follow him in all the events that occurred, but give a few detached sketches showing the manners of the people and their modes of life. As a prelude to which we may say, that our wanderers were hospitably received by the chiefs, and treated with great care and attention -were carefully guarded to prevent their escape, which gave rise to some reasonable fears that they were ultimately to be sacrificed and eaten that Toby was permitted to depart, under the text of going to the French station for medical assistance for our author, who had acquired some disease in the course of these events-and that Toby was never after seen or heard from. Soon after entering the valley they found a path, following which through the trees, they discovered two natives, of whom the following fine description is given : pre "They were a boy and girl, slender and graceful, and completely naked, with the exception of a slight girdle of bark, from which depended at opposite points two of the russet leaves of the bread-fruit tree. An arm of the boy, half screened from sight by her wild tresses, was thrown about the neck of the girl, while with the other he held one of her hands in his; and thus they stood together, their heads inclined forward, catching the faint noise we made in our progress, and with one foot in advance, as if half inclined to fly from our presence. "As we drew near, their alarm evidently increased. Apprehensive that they might fly from us altogether, I stopped short and motioned them to advance and receive the gift I extended towards them, but they would not; I then uttered a few words of their language with which I was acquainted, scarcely expecting that they would understand me, but to show that we had not dropped from the clouds upon them. This appeared to give them a little confidence, so I approached nearer, presenting the cloth with one hand, and holding the bough with the other, while they slowly retreated. At last they suffered us to approach so near to them that we were enabled to throw the cotton cloth across their shoulders, giving them to understand that it was theirs, and by a series of gestures endeavoring to make them understand that for them. we entertained the highest possible regard "The frightened pair now stood still, whilst we endeavored to make them comprehend the nature of our wants. In doing this Toby went through a complete series of pantomimic illustrations-opening his mouth from ear to ear, and thrusting his fingers down his throat, gnashing his teeth and rolling his eyes about, till I verily beof white cannibals who were about to make lieve the poor creatures took us for a couple a meal of them. When, however, they understood us, they showed no inclination to relieve our wants. At this juncture it began to rain violently, and we motioned them to lead us to some place of shelter. With this request they appeared willing to comply, but nothing could evince more strongly the apprehension with which they regarded us, than the way in which, whilst walking before us, they kept their eyes constantly turned back to watch every movement we made, and even our very looks." By these artless islanders they were led to the settlements of the tribe, and by direction of the chief the author was furnished with "board and lodging" in the family of one of his subjects. He was also supplied with a faithful bodyservant, and with a wife also, as we infer from the narrative. Their arrival caused a great commotion amongst the secluded inhabitants of the valley, and in the evening there was a general gathering of the warriors to gaze at them. By a series of skillful pantomimic performances they contrived to inform their savage friends that they needed food: and forthwith they were plentifully supplied with cocoa-nuts and the produce of the bread-fruit tree. Our sailors were evidently regarded with amazement. "During the repast, the natives eyed us with intense curiosity, observing our minutest motions, and appearing to discover abundant matter for comment in the most trifling occurrence. Their surprise mounted the highest, when we began to remove our uncomfortable garments, which were saturated with rain. They scanned the whiteness of our limbs, and seemed utterly unable to account for the contrast they presented to the swarthy hue of our faces, em browned from a six months' exposure to the scorching sun of the Line. They felt our skin, much in the same way that a silk mercer would handle a remarkably fine piece of satin; and some of them went so far in their investigation as to apply the olfactory organ." After a night's rest, the ladies of the island were also gratified with a sight of the strangers, of which we have the following account: "It was broad day; and the house was nearly filled with young females, fancifully decorated with flowers, who gazed upon me as I rose with faces in which childish delight and curiosity were vividly portrayed. After waking Toby, they seated themselves round us on the mats, and gave full play to that prying inquisitiveness which, time out of mind, has been attributed to the adorable sex. "As these unsophisticated young creatures were attended by no jealous duennas, their proceedings were altogether informal, and void of artificial restraint. Long and minute was the investigation with which they honored us, and so uproarious their mirth, that I felt infinitely sheepish; and Toby was immeasurably outraged at their familiarity. "These lively young ladies were at the same time wonderfully polite and humane; fanning aside the insects that occasionally lighted on our brows; presenting us with food; and compassionately regarding me in the midst of my afflictions. But in spite of all their blandishments, my feelings of propriety were exceedingly shocked, for I could not but consider them as having overstepped the due limits of female decorum. "Having diverted themselves to their hearts' content, our young visitants now withdrew, and gave place to successive troops of the other sex,'who continued flocking towards the house until near noon; by which time I have no doubt that the greater part of the inhabitants of the valley had bathed themselves in the light of cur benignant countenances." With whom Toby was domiciled does not appear, but Mr. Melville has given us a glowing description of the person who was appointed to wait upon and assist him. Kory-Kory, though the most devoted and best natured serving-man in the world, was, alas! a hideous object to look upon. He was some twenty-five years of age, and about six feet in height, robust and well made, and of the most extraordinary aspect. His head was carefully shaven, with the exception of two circular spots, about the size of a dollar, near the top of the cranium, where the hair, permitted to grow of an amazing length, was twisted up in two prominent knots, that gave him the appearance of being decorated with a pair of horns. His beard, plucked out by the root from every other part of his face, was suf fered to droop in hairy pendants, two of which garnished his under lip, and an equal number hung from the extremity of his chin, "Kory-Kory, with a view of improving the handiwork of nature, and perhaps prompted by a desire to add to the engag ing expression of his countenance, had seen fit to embellish his face with three broad longitudinal stripes of tattooing, which, like those country roads that go straight forward in defiance of all obstacles, crossed his nasal organ, descended into the hollow of his eyes, and even skirted the borders of his mouth. Each completely spanned his physiognomy; one extending in a line with his eyes, another crossing the face in the vicinity of the nose, and the third sweeping His counalong his lips from ear to ear. tenance thus triply hooped, as it were, with tattooing, always reminded me of those unhappy wretches whom I have sometimes observed gazing out sentimentally from behind the grated bars of a prison window; whilst the entire body of my savage valet, covered all over with representations of birds and fishes, and a variety of most unaccountable-looking creatures, suggested to me the idea of a pictorial museum of natural history, or an illustrated copy of 'Goldsmith's Animated Nature."" There were several damsels in the family, one of whom was evidently the favorite of our author. All the females of the island are described as graceful and charming, but the beautiful " Fayaway" shone unrivaled. Of her we have the following description : "From the rest of these, however, I must except the beauteous nymph, Fayaway, who was my peculiar favorite. Her free, pliant figure was the very perfection of female grace and beauty. Her complexion was a rich and mantling olive, and when watching the glow upon her cheeks I could almost swear that beneath the transparent medium there lurked the blushes of a faint vermilion. The face of this girl was a rounded oval, and each feature as perfectly formed as the heart or imagination of man could desire. Her full lips, when parted with a smile, disclosed teeth of a dazzling whiteness; and when her rosy mouth opened with a burst of merriment, they looked like the milk-white seeds of the arta,' a fruit of the valley, which, when cleft in twain, shows them reposing in rows on either side, imbedded in the rich and juicy pulp. Her hair of the deepest brown, parted irregularly in |