Letters from the Hawaiian Islands.
Notre Dame, Ind. University Press, 1887. First printing. Pamphlet. The Rev. J. A. Zahm C.S.C., professor of physical science in the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, visited the islands to examine Kilauea, the volcano where "the bottom had fallen out of the crater..." (p.5). The pamphlet does not just examine Volcanography and Geology, the author examines many facets of Hawaiian community and includes sections on leprosy, natives ("a Doomed Race"), the Chinese (making up a quarter of the population and the recent lost of the Honolulu Chinatown in a massive fire). A fascinating accumulation of contemporary articles on the islands and their people. Originally written as letters for publication in the Rocky Mountain News (newspaper) in 1886.
OCLC: 317328893 locating only 2 copies Univ. Hawaii and Notre Dame. 8vo, 71pp, 11pp, sketch illustrations in text. Original blue printed paper wrappers, title on cover with an engraved of Notre Dame university on rear wrapper.
Rare in the trade; RareBookHub cites one copy appearing at auction in 1966. Fine condition. Item #26416
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