[TITLE PAGE]
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THE NARRATIVE
OF
EDWARD CREWE;
OR,
LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND.
BY W.M.B.
LONDON:
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, LOW, & SEARLE,
CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET.
1874
All Rights Reserved.
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LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
[PREFACE]
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MY PREFACE.
IN the course of an eventful and active life, during a long residence at the Antipodes, it had often been my lot or necessity to turn my hand to very many occupations and callings (I can assure my readers that a list thereof would nearly equal the ubiquitous handicraftism of a Jonathan-of-all-trades); and since my return to England, finding myself with "nothing to do," I determined to add that of an author to the number. I have been much encouraged thereto by seeing the thousands upon thousands of unsalable and unreadable volumes cumbering the shelves of our great circulating libraries; and being animated by the laudable ambition of knowing that 'The Narrative of Mr. Edward Crewe' would be carried forth on loan by dainty ladies issuing from the above mentioned repositories of books, the rest appeared easy. Like Sinbad, my hero should tell the story of his many voyages, and, also after the manner of that
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veracious traveller, he should not relate all his adventures at one sitting.
Mr. Edward Crewe was at the Antipodes eighteen years, and then in--ah! well, I shall begin with New Zealand, and if my readers want to hear of other lands where he made a home, why they must say so. One word more. Those running down the range of life may not see any fun in half-savage life, or care to listen to the adventures of one who was himself half a savage. The autocrats of the opinions of the future (the rising generation) will possibly be more indulgent: to them I dedicate the following pages.
W.M.B.
YORK,
April, 1874.
