Ten Years in Melanesia by Rev Alfred Penny M.A - 1887

Ten Years in Melanesia by the Rev Alfred Penny M.A. late of the Melanesia Mission. Illustrated with chart and six engravings from sketches by the AUTHOR and H.J. Rhodes. Published by Wells Gardner, Darton & Co, London, 1887. First Edition. 12mo up to 7½" tall. 232 pages including Frontispiece with tissue guard, 5 plates and double page map followed by 1- 35 numbered pages of publisher's ads and Table of Contents, 5 pages. Decorative cloth boards with titles in red. Contents are in near fine condition, clean and without tears or marks; hinge line page 144 is showing but all pages are completely and firmly attached; the name of Hamilton Holt and date of 1887 neatly inked on free endpaper; light foxing first few pages only. Boards have light bumping to edges most noticeable to tail and head of spine; split to bottom outside joint line, moderate spine lean.

Contents: Chapter I. Melanesia; Chapter II. Norfolk Island; Chapter III. First Impressions; Chapter IV. Heathen Superstitions; Chapter V. Native Customs; Chapter VI. Island Phenomena; Chapter VII. Island Traders;

Chapter VIII. Men-of-War in the Islands; Chapter IX. Rise of Christianity and Fall of the Tindalos; Chapter X. Growth of the Church. Reviews From The Bookseller, November, 1887:

"A most interesting and charmingly written description of Melanesian life" -Pall Mall Gazette

"A distinct Contribution to our knowledge of Melanesia" - Saturday Review

"Singularly free from exaggeration - bears the marks of careful observation" - Athenaum