hat
prolific portion of the Pacific, the great volcanic eruption of 1840; and
a full account of the mightiest of craters, the gigantic _Lua Pele_, of
Kilanea, in Hawaii. But it would have swelled the volume to an unwieldy
size. At an early period will be presented an additional volume, which,
without being connected with the present, will give in detail all that is
necessary to form a correct view of the Hawaiian Islands, their condition,
prospects, the every-day concerns of the people, and missionary life as it
now exists; the two to form a succinct whole, illustrating each other.'
The volume before us has been written in fulfilment of the foregoing
pledge. In it the writer has attempted to delineate that which came within
his immediate observation, during a residence of four years on the Group.
As a description of the familiar life of a people, in a novel and
interesting position, one which may with propriety be termed a state of
transition from barbarism to civilization, it will attract the attention,
and interest the sympathies of readers of all classes. A portion of the
sketches have been previously published in journals, and had some
circulation both at home and abroad. The volume is executed by the eminent
Boston printer, DICKINSON, and is illustrated with fine maps and plates.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

THE NEW YEAR.--We are standing once more together, reader, at that fairy
vestibule which opens rich with hope and bright to expectation upon
another twelve-month; a coming lapse of time that like a swell of the
ocean tossing with its fellows, heaves onward to the land of Death and
Silence. At such a time, although it seem not meet, it may be, to indulge
in sad thoughts and pensive recollections, who can refrain from giving a
backward glance to years that have passed like a weaver's shuttle, and
woven our 'checkered web of life?' Shall we not for one moment remember
too, even at this joyous season, the loved and lost who have gone before
us, to solve the great mystery of life, and the momentous secrets of death
and the grave? Shall we not remember that _we_ too are passing away; and
in thoughtful mood, pause to ask with the poet:

'ANOTHER year! another year!
Oh! who shall see another year?
Shalt thou, old man, of hoary head,
Of eye-sight dim, and feeble tread?
Expect it not! Time, pain, and grief
Have made thee like an autumn leaf;
Ready, by blast or self-decay,
From its slight hold to drop aw