29 JANUARY 1881, Page 27

It is difficult to feel as much interest as perhaps

would ho becom- ing in the second volume of Mr. A. Pomander's Account of the Poly- nesian, Bare (Tranner). Tho author appropriately quotes Mr. Emer- son's saying " that no nation can go forward that has no past at its back," and calls upon his readers to interest themselves in the history of the Hawaiians. We have tried some pages, but find that our philanthropic fooling is not strong enough. At the same time, wo have the greatest respect for the industry with which Mr. For- nander has collected and arranged his materials. If the centre of human affairs should over change from the Atlantic to the South Pacific, his labours will be, appreciated at their duo value. We notice the expression of a decided opinion that the Polynesians of the past had means of locomotion by sea which were much greater than any now possessed by them.