“A CONTINUOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THIS WHOLE FIELD OF TRIUMPHANT MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE”

TYERMAN, Daniel and BENNET, George. Journal of Voyages and Travels by the Rev. Daniel Tyerman and George Bennet, Esq. deputed from the London Missionary Society, to visit their various stations in the South Sea Islands, China, India, &c. between the years 1821 and 1829. Boston and New York: Crocker and Brewster; Jonathan Leavitt, 1832. Three volumes. 12mo (measuring 5 by 7-1/2 inches), original blue cloth, printed paper spine labels, uncut. $1100.

First American edition of Tyerman and Bennet’s account of their wide-ranging missionary travels, from Polynesia to Africa, including the South Seas islands, China and India.

In 1821, Tyerman and Bennet "were appointed by the London Missionary Society to visit their southern stations. They sailed from London in the whaler Tuscan and, proceeding round Cape Horn, visited Tahiti, the Leeward and Hawaiian islands, and other mission stations in the South Seas. In 1824 they visited New South Wales and, on the way, narrowly escaped from the Maoris of New Zealand. In September of 1824 they sailed from Sydney through the Torres Straits to Java, and from there to Singapore, Canton and Calcutta. At Serampore, in May of 1826, they met the venerable missionary and linguist William Carey… After visiting Benares, they sailed to Madras and thence to Goa. In 1827 they voyaged from India to Mauritius and Madagascar… A notable inclusion in this work is the account of George Pollard, captain of the ill-fated American whaler Essex, whom the missionaries met in Raiatéa" (Hill 1731). Tyerman and Bennet's Journal "affords a graphic picture of the state of the London Society's missions at the period" (DNB). With six plates, including a frontispiece in Volumes I and II. Bound with half titles. First published 1831 in London. Hill 1732. See: Ferguson 1487; Hunnewell, 69-70. Small bookplate.

Scattered light foxing. Cloth lightly rubbed, spines faded. An extremely good copy.