Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England The Cruise of the Mary Rose, or Here and There in the Pacific, by William H G Kingston. ________________________________________________________________________ This book is very largely about the work of Christian missionaries in the Pacific. There is a thin plot, but otherwise we are treated to lengthy texts extracted from the reports of various missionaries, and of Naval officers who had visited the area. The book is dressed up with a cover and a title that makes it look like a boy's adventure story from the second half of the nineteenth century. I imagine that many a kindly old aunt, searching for a Christmas present for a favourite nephew, will have bought a copy, and been surprised when the "thank-you" letter didn't seem as effusive as she expected. But don't let me stop you reading it if you are interested in the work of these brave missionaries. Kingston is generally quite pious in his writings, so you can imagine how pious he is when trying to out-missionary the missionaries. Some of their more nauseous habits of their "clients" are described, such as eating your enemy when you have killed him. ________________________________________________________________________ THE CRUISE OF THE MARY ROSE, OR HERE AND THERE IN THE PACIFIC, BY WILLIAM H G KINGSTON. CHAPTER ONE. UNCLE JOHN'S JOURNAL. My family had for centuries owned the same estate, handed down from father to son undiminished in size, and much increased in value. I believe there had been among them in past generations those who feared the Lord. I know that my father was a man of true piety. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you," was his favourite motto. What a world of doubt and anxiety, of plotting, and contriving, and scheming, does this trust in God save those who possess it. On this blessed assurance my father took his stand in all the difficulties of life. It never failed him, and so we his sons had a good training and a godly example.