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The Son of Samuel Smiles

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Title: A Boy's Voyage Round the World

Author: The Son of Samuel Smiles

Editor: Samuel Smiles

Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24345]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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A BOY'S VOYAGE
ROUND THE WORLD

EDITED
BY SAMUEL SMILES, LL.D.

AUTHOR OF 'SELF-HELP,' ETC.

LONDON
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET

1905

[Illustration: OUTWARD BOUND. _See_ p. 27.]

PREFACE.

I have had pleasure in editing this little book, not only because it
is the work of my youngest son, but also because it contains the
results of a good deal of experience of life under novel aspects, as
seen by young, fresh, and observant eyes.

How the book came to be written is as follows: The boy, whose two
years' narrative forms the subject of these pages, was at the age of
sixteen seized with inflammation of the lungs, from which he was
recovering so slowly and unsatisfactorily, that I was advised by
London physicians to take him from the business he was then learning
in Yorkshire, and send him on a long sea voyage. Australia was
recommended, because of the considerable time occupied in making the
voyage by sailing ship, and also because of the comparatively genial
and uniform temperature while at sea.

He was accordingly sent out to Melbourne by one of Money Wigram's
ships in the winter of 1868-9, with directions either to return by the
same ship or, if the opportunity presented itself, to remain for a
time in the colony. It will be found, from his own narrative that,
having obtained some suitable employment, he decided to adopt the
latter course; and for a period of about eighteen months he resided at
Majorca, an up-country township situated in the gold-mining district
of Victoria.

When his health had become re-established, he was directed to return
home, about the beginning of the present year; and he resolved to make
the return voyage by the P