Wanderings among South Sea Savages and in Borneo and the Philippines

A lively, first‑person chronicle drawn from the author’s own letters, this memoir carries the immediacy of notes penned in Dayak huts, Negrito villages, and the deep jungles of the South Pacific. Written by a seasoned explorer and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, the narrative weaves together personal anecdotes, vivid observations and a modest collection of photographs that capture the everyday world of the islands he visited. The tone is informal and affectionate, as he addresses a brother‑in‑law who encouraged him to share these wanderings with a wider audience.

Readers are treated to colourful scenes of island life: a Fijian war‑dance, women spearing fish from a canoe, Negrito children climbing trees, and the solemn rituals of Borneo chiefs. The author sketches the customs, dress and tools of the peoples he meets, always with humility and a sense of gratitude for the hospitality he receives. Though he mentions his natural‑history collections, the focus remains on the human encounters that shaped his journeys.

The book is not a scientific treatise but a personable travelogue, perfect for listeners who enjoy hearing real voices from a bygone era. The accompanying plates—drawn from the author’s own camera and generous friends—bring the distant cultures to life, making the experience both visual and immersive without demanding specialist knowledge.