Narrative of a Visit to Brazil, Chile, Peru, and the Sandwich Islands, During the Years 1821 and 1822. With Miscellaneous Remarks on the Past and Present State, and Political Prospects of Those Countries. MATHISON, Gilbert Farquhar.

First edition of this intriguing account of Hawai'i, which includes a description of the "Cannibal Stone" at Helemano, Oahu. Mathison visited the Sandwich Islands in 1822, interviewing missionaries and meeting King Keeaumoku. His journey concluded with a royal farewell aboard ship, where "the King and one of his Queens. both fell fast asleep" after generous entertainment (pp. 436-7). Gilbert Farquhar Mathison (c.1803-1854) was a British traveller and later Secretary to the Royal Mint. The work also recounts his time in South America with observations on local customs and a curious encounter with a "troop of llamas" in Peru. The work is pleasingly presented with colour plates on native Peruvian and Pacific Islander dress. Abbey, Travel 700; Forbes 610; Hill 1105; Judd 119; Sabin 46858. Octavo (211 x 132 mm), pp. xii, 478. Bound without errata leaf. Hand-coloured frontispiece and 3 similar plates, folding map of the Sandwich Islands. With 2-leaf publisher's catalogue at rear dated June 1825. Near-contemporary brown straight-grain half roan, rebacked with the original spine laid down, spine lettered and ruled in gilt, marbled sides, edges sprinkled red. Ex-Newport Public Library, with its ink stamp on the title page. Binding worn, sporadic foxing, tear to front free endpaper gutter, chips to rear free endpaper. A good copy.