"H.M. Ship Pandora in the act of foundering

From sketch by the late Mr Peter Hayrood.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

PREFACE.

THE Editor of this volume (for he presumes not
to write Author) has been induced to bring into
one connected view what has hitherto appeared
only in detached fragments (and some of these not
generally accessible)-the historical narrative of an
event which deeply interested the public at the
time of its occurrence, and from which the naval
service in particular, in all its ranks, may still draw
instructive and useful lessons.

The story in itself is replete with interest.

We are taught by The Book of sacred history,
that the disobedience of our first parents entailed
on our globe of earth a sinful and a suffering race :
in our time there has sprung up from the most
abandoned of this sinful family-from pirates, mu-
tineers, and murderers—a little society which, under
the precepts of that sacred volume, is characterised
by religion, morality, and innocence. The dis-
covery of this happy people, as unexpected as it
was accidental, and all that regards their condition
and history, partake so much of the romantic, as to
render the story not ill adapted for an epic poem.
Lord Byron, indeed, has partially treated the

subject; but, by blending two incongruous stories,
and leaving both of them imperfect, and by mixing
up fact with fiction, has been less felicitous than
usual: for, beautiful as many passages in his
"Island" are, in a region where every tree, and
flower, and fountain breathe poetry, yet as a whole
the poem is feeble and deficient in dramatic effect.

ance.

There still remains to us at least one Poet, who,
if he could be prevailed on to undertake it, would
do justice to the story. To his suggestion, the
publication of the present narrative owes its appear-
But a higher object at present is engaging
his attention, which, when completed, judging from
that portion already before the public, will have
raised a splendid and lasting monument to the
name of William Sotheby, in his translation of the
Iliad and the Odyssey.

To the kindness of Mrs. Heywood, the relict of
the late Captain Peter Heywood, the Editor is
indebted for those beautiful and affectionate letters,
written by a beloved sister to her unfortunate
brother, while a prisoner and under sentence of
death; as well as for some occasional poetry, which
displays an intensity of feeling, a tenderness of
expression, and a high tone of sentiment, that do
honour to the head and heart of this amiable and
accomplished lady. Those letters also from the
brother to his deeply afflicted family will be read
with peculiar interest.