NISBET, Hume. - The Land of the Hibiscus Blossom; a yarn of the Papuan Gulf.

London, Ward & Downey 1888. Octavo publisher's illustrated cloth blocked in colour and gilt (tips worn, cloth a bit dull and discoloured); 23 full page ills by Nisbet. A second hand but quite acceptable copy. ¶ First edition (only? there was an 1889 colonial issue and a 'new edition' in 1896 but I suspect these are re-issues of the same sheets) of Nisbet's first novel (of some 40) and one of the earliest novels of New Guinea from first hand experience. Nisbet insists on his accuracy of detail and was often criticised for proselytising at the expense of humour and excitement but his ideas have come into their own: "this is not a missionary tale, but the words of one who believes as ... Ruskin believes, that what the savage gains from religion and civilisation is not equivalent to his own beliefs when left alone." Despite dire warnings that a trip to New Guinea was near suicide, and unlike most of his contemporaries and followers, New Guinea to Nisbet was not a dark, savage and desperate land and his bright and cheery sobriquet of a title shows a generous response and appreciative humanity but lousy marketing skills.

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