ettres Edifiantes et
Curieuses." It is a translation from the official report of a Chinese
embassador sent to Loo-choo by the Emperor Kang Hi; our opportunities,
however, were not sufficient to enable us to judge of the accuracy of
this curious memoir.

CONTENTS

NARRATIVE.

CHAPTER I.

H.M.S. Alceste and Lyra leave the Yellow Sea on a Voyage of
Discovery--Sir James Hall's Group on the Coast of Corea--Unsociable
Character of the Natives--Hutton's Island--Interesting geological
Structure--Anchor near the Main Land--Corean Chief's Visit--Objections
made to Strangers landing--Distress of the Chief--His
Character--Departure from Basil's Bay--Clusters of Islands--Murray's
Sound--Deserted Corean Village--View from the Summit of a high
Peak--Interview with the Coreans--Peculiarities of their
Character--Language--Erroneous geographical Position of this
Coast--Leave Corea Page 1

CHAPTER II.

Enter the Japan Sea--Sulphur Island--Volcano--See the Great Loo-choo
Island--Lyra nearly wrecked--First Interview with the Natives--Anchor
at Napakiang--Natives crowd on Board--Their interesting Appearance
and Manners--Several Chiefs visit the Alceste--Land to make
Observations--Astonishment of the Natives--Six Chiefs visit the
Ships--Alceste and Lyra proceed farther in Shore--A Chief of high Rank
waits upon Captain Maxwell--Return his Visit--Feast--Projected Survey
of the Anchorage--Visit Reef Island--The Lyra sent to look for another
Harbour--Arrangements for landing the Alceste's Stores--Description of
the Temple and Garden--First Acquaintance with Madera--Study of the
Language 58

CHAPTER III.

The Lyra sent to survey the Island of Loo-choo--Discovery of Port
Melville--Description of that Harbour, and the Villages on its
Banks--Lyra nearly wrecked--Interview with Natives at the South
Point--Return to Napakiang--Behaviour of the Natives at a Seaman's
Funeral--Madera's Character and Conduct--Sociable Habits of the
Natives--Dinner given to the Chiefs of the Island by Captain
Maxwell--Madera's Behaviour on this Occasion--Two Women seen--A Lady
of Rank visits the Boatswain's Wife--Captain Maxwell fractures his
Finger--Loo-choo Surgeon--Concern of the Natives--Visit of the
Prince--Discussion about the King of Loo