An account of the natives of the Tonga Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean. With an original grammar and vocabulary of their language.

Compiled and arranged from the extensive communications of Mr. William Mariner, several years resident in those islands … In two volumes. London : printed for the author, and sold by John Murray, 1817. Two volumes, octavo, matching contemporary bindings of full calf ruled in double gilt, flat spines in compartments with gilt decoration and lettering (spine of Vol. II frayed at foot); both pastedowns with 19th-century bookplate of the Cathedral Library of New Zealand, pastedown of Vol. I also with small label of Melbourne bookseller Bradstreet; edges stained red, top edges with stamped library shelf marking; pp. lix, [1], 460; [2], 412, [212 Vocabulary]; Vol. I. with an engraved frontispiece (small marginal water stain at bottom corner); bindings firm, crisp and clean throughout, a very good set with wide margins.

First edition. Martin’s text is based on the account of William Mariner, a British sailor whose ship the Port au Prince was attacked and destroyed when it arrived at the Ha’apai Islands in Tonga. Mariner was the only survivor, and was adopted as the King’s son. He spent four years in the islands, during which time he acquired an extensive knowledge of the Tongan culture and language before his return to England in 1810.

Hill 1075 (‘considered the best report of Tongan life and culture before the arrival of Christianity’)