their inhabitants from your own personal knowledge and observations."
I stood still and considered for a moment. Yes, I would do it.
"But before commencing a work of this kind," I said, "it will be necessary for me to become acquainted with the history of this continent; and I understand that you already knew something of the other parts of the world previous to my arrival here."
"Yes," was the answer. "And if we consider traditions, legends, and MSS., together with the opinions of our philosophers, we have quite a collection of books treating on the subject."
"I should like to read them all before commencing the history," I said.
"Perhaps, in that case," he observed, it would be advisable to take an estate as near as possible to Tehana, so that you can consult the library when you choose without inconvenience. Of course, at the same time, you will have perfect liberty to take any books you wish away from it. You will, however, in all likelihood," he continued, "be interviewed towards the close of the summer by representatives of the press, and if you accede to their wishes, you will find that these interviews
