ADVERTISEMENT. THE reader will perceive a similarity, at least of outline, between this work and a part of the larger volume of Capt. Benjamin Morrell, published in December last, containing a narrative of the four voyages of that adventurous navigator; in the last of which he discovered several groups of hitherto unknown islands, and had the misfortune to lose a portion of his crew by the treachery of the savage inhabitants. The following pages do not, however, contain a mere abridgment of Capt. Morrell's volume: they were not only written, but printed, before his work, and although the incidents narrated in the two productions are in some respects similar, it will be seen that there is a marked dissimilarity in the style and spirit in which they have been written. The narrative of Capt. Morrell is essentially practical and descriptive; and its contents are the results of a sailor's observations: the present work is of a more reflective character, and exhibits the impressions made upon the mind of an educated female by scenes and occurrences so different from those which it is the lot of women generally to encounter. It was thought advisable, for reasons which it cannot, however, be interesting to the public to be acquainted with, that the narrative of Capt. Morrell should be first published; and the favour with which that volume was received encourages the publishers to hope that the present will not be found unacceptable. The scenes and adventures of which Mrs. Morrell was a witness were highly interesting in their nature, and it is believed that an account of them, divested of nautical technicalities and descriptions purely maritime, will be read with pleasure, especially by readers of her own sex and country. The following notices of Capt. Morrell's Narrative are quoted to show the interesting nature of the subject-matter of- both these publications. From the New-York Weekly Messenger. "We are bold in saying that everybody will want to read this book, and our community will not be slow in ranking the author as the American Cook or Parry. With a zeal and ardour only known to those whose hearts have been imbued with the spirit of adventurous discovery, Capt. Morrell has threaded the South American coast, both on the Atlantic and Pacific sides; entering every indentation, sounding harbours, and accumulating a mass of nautical information which can be found in no other volume." From the Christian Advocate and Journal. "It does not often fall to cur lot to be able to commend a book of this kind with as much confidence as we can Morrell's Four Voyages,' just published by the Harpers. "The book is written with the easy natural air of truth. It contains graphic and accurate descriptions of various seas, rivers, islands, countries, cities, people, manners, climates, birds, quadrupeds, fishes, natural phenomena, &c., and should be read with a map open before us. It also contains accurate observations upon the effects of missionary labours among the heathen in various places, particularly in the islands of the Pacific. . . . . This volume may go in company with Stuart's Voyages, and Tyerman and Bennett's Journal." From the Presbyterian. "This work is among the first, if not the first, of the respectable contributions of American navigators to the general stock of knowledge relative to the condition of man. Its author has traversed almost every sea, and visited every important place, in the southern hemisphere, and with an eye ever watchful for interest ing facts, and a happy talent in recording them, he has succeeded in producing a most instructive volume. It is a matter of sincere gratification to us that the enterprising publishers are turn ing their attention to the preparation of such works as this. We have no doubt that it will find its way into every library in our country, and secure a perusal from many a "fireside traveller" who desires an acquaintance with the world without venturing the perils of the deep," |