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A lady's cruise in a French man-of-war cover

A lady's cruise in a French man-of-war

Chapter 5: NOTE.
By C. F. Gordon Cumming
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About This Book

The narrative recounts the experiences of a woman aboard a French warship as it navigates the Pacific Ocean, particularly focusing on the enchanting landscapes and cultures encountered along the way. The author vividly describes the beauty of the islands, the warmth of the local people, and the leisurely lifestyle that contrasts with the rigors of naval life. Through observations of nature and interactions with various communities, themes of adventure, exploration, and the appreciation of different cultures emerge. The work combines travelogue elements with poetic reflections, capturing the essence of the journey and the allure of the tropical destinations.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE
Papeete—Capital, Frontispiece
Trilithon, Tonga, 18
A Coral Cave, Vavau, 29
Opunohu Bay, Moorea, 153
Le Diadème, 169
A Royal Reception, Haapiti, 229
Pao Pao, or Cook’s Bay, 230
Ancient Marai, 324
Map, At the end

NOTE.

The “Wa Kalou,”—i.e., “Fern of God,”—introduced on the cover of this book, is a most delicate climbing fern which overtwines tall trees and shrubs in the Pacific Isles, forming a misty veil of indescribable loveliness. When in the state of fructification, each leaf is edged with a dotted fringe of brown seed. In the Fijian Isles its beauty has gained for it the name here given; and in olden days the ridge-poles of the temples were wreathed with it, as those of chiefs’ houses are to this day. It also finds favour for personal adornment, trailing garlands of this exquisite green being singularly becoming to a clear brown skin.