Preface. HERE are few regions of the globe without some tales of suffering, or traditions of human heroism, which have stamped with immortal memorials the secluded isle, the solitary bay, or the lone track, where man has battled with the elements, or contended against the ferocity of barbarous tribes. Such places must ever possess a powerful interest for those who delight to contemplate man under circumstances which develop the energies, and exalt the courage of the soul. The level of the common-place, however abounding in the useful, presents but rarely those heroic qualities, the study of which is necessary to the cultivation of manly habits, and for rightly estimating the hidden powers of human nature. We cannot behold the exhibition of long-sustained patience, or brilliant displays of energy in others, without feeling our hearts warmed by a generous enthusiasm, or roused to a healthy contempt of enervating pursuits. We need not look into the depths of the "heroic ages"-to the shores of ancient Greece, or the famed hills of Rome, for instances of human daring and brave endurance. In all ages, and in all lands, suffering and trial have attended upon the footsteps of man, and summoned him to hardy resistance, or disgraceful defeat; and therefore each period produces instances of men who wreath bright laurels from calamities, and stand as examples to their fellows. The contemplation of such "adventures" is necessary at all times, but especially in what is called a highly civilized, or commercial age, when the natural tendency of men is towards luxury. To repress such a disposition is impossible; but to prevent it from degenerating into effeminacy is not only desirable, but absolutely essential to the preservation of the national character. To make our youth familiar with deeds of generous hardihood and of perseverance against the shock of unexpected ills, must be the best corrective of the customs and opinions too often connected with the advance of society in physical comforts. Sea and land alike contribute such examples the shattered ships and iron-bound coasts of the former, combining with the lonely waste, snow-covered mountains, or dungeons of the latter, to develop the truest heroism in men of all climes, ages, and ranks. The "adventures" in this volume have not been selected exclusively from our own countrymen, as it was desirable to illustrate the triumphs of perseverance and disciplined courage, not only in Englishmen, but in all human-kind. Our countrymen are therefore joined with French, Dutch, Italian, Swedish, and Russian adventurers, whose diversities of national temperament only render still more striking the uniform results produced by heroic endurance. Instances of lofty courage and generous devotedness have been selected from different ages, that the earlier periods of history may concur with later times, to teach lessons of high fortitude by appropriate examples, and to prove that under all varieties of human institutions the soul may display her great resources. With this view the writer has also chosen "adventures" from the records of civil as well as military life; for the highest bravery is not unfrequently found in those who have never heard the report of a cannon, and who are total strangers to the pomp of war. Women have likewise con tributed to the list of our adventurers; for they often exhibit that calm species of courage which imparts a dignity to feminine nature, and shows how frequently the highest powers of endurance are united to physical weakness. It is presumed that the various aspects under which man appears in the ensuing pages will suggest numerous important reflections to all who agree with the poet that "The proper study of mankind is man. Amid ordinary circumstances the strongest minds can only exercise their common virtues; but amidst sufferings and danger, all that is great and noble have opportunity for exercise; and it is therefore in the world of "adventure" that our nature displays her loftier attributes. Sometimes, however, the reverse of all this appears when peril and calamity develop the long-concealed enormities of degraded minds, and lead to those terrible catastrophes which startle the reader, and reveal the horrors. of crime's deep abyss. But even such disclosures are valuable manifestations of human nature, and serve to modify the admiration produced by views of lofty greatness and heroic virtues, which might otherwise lead us to an exaggerated estimate of human powers. The writer must, in conclusion, say that all the adventures in this volume are taken from the most trustworthy and authentic sources, and presented to the reader in that form which seemed best fitted to place the events most fully That before the imagination. these narratives may contribute to improve the understanding and interest the heart of each reader, is the writer's hope; and he is the more confirmed in this expectation, as he trusts that nothing in these pages will be found to exhibit false views of man or morals, by which the taste might be corrupted, or the intellect enfeebled. February, 1847. W. D. Contents. Page. CHAP. III.-The Sailor in the Burning Ship; or, Adventures CHAP. VI.-The Sailor in Captivity; or, Adventures of William Adams, an Englishman, in Japan 73 |