Swiss Family Robinson

The Swiss Family Robinson; or
Adventures in a
by Johann David Wyss,
Illustrated by John Gilbert

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Title: The Swiss Family Robinson; or Adventures in a Desert Island
Author: Johann David Wyss
Release Date: March 24, 2004 [eBook #11703]
Language: English
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ROBINSON; OR ADVENTURES IN A DESERT ISLAND***
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THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON;
OR, ADVENTURES IN A DESERT ISLAND.
WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOHN GILBERT.

[Illustration: THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON]
[Illustration: "Our first care was to kneel down and thank God, to whom we owed our
lives."]

PREFACE.
Many years ago, an English translation of the first part of this charming tale appeared;
and few books have obtained such deserved popularity. The gradual progress of the
family from utter destitution and misery, to happiness and abundance, arising from their
own labour, perseverance, and obedience, together with the effect produced on the
different characters of the sons by the stirring adventures they met with, created a deep
and absorbing interest. Every young reader patronized either the noble Fritz, the studious
Ernest, or the generous Jack, and regarded him as a familiar personal acquaintance. The
book had but one defect--the death of the talented author left it unfinished, and every
reader regretted its abrupt termination.
This conclusion was happily supplied by one of the most accomplished and elegant
writers of her day, the Baroness de Montolieu; and, sanctioned and approved by the son
of the lamented author, the entire work was published in France, and has for many years
held a distinguished rank in the juvenile libraries there. For the gratification of a little
family circle, this now appears in English; and as, on examining the first part in the
original, it was found, that "some new discoveries might be made," it was thought best to
re-translate it, subduing the tone of the whole to English taste. The unanimous voices of
the beloved circle, for whom the pleasant task was undertaken, have pronounced the
result to be eminently successful, and they generously wish, that the whole of the juvenile
public of England should share in their satisfaction, and possess a complete Swiss

Robinson.

INTRODUCTION.
It is very well known that, some years ago, Counsellor Horner, a Swiss, made a voyage
round the world in the Russian vessel Le Podesda, commanded by Capt. Krusenstern.
They discovered many islands, and, amongst others, one very large and fertile, till then
unknown to navigators, to the S.W. of Java, near the coast of New Guinea. They landed
here, and to the great surprise of Mr. Horner, he was received by a family who spoke to
him in German. They were a father and mother, and four robust and hardy sons.
Their history was very interesting. The father was a Swiss clergyman, who, in the
Revolution of 1798, had lost all his fortune, and had determined to emigrate, in order to
seek elsewhere the means of supporting his family. He went first to England, with his
wife and children, consisting of four sons, between the ages of twelve and five. He there
undertook the office of missionary to Otaheite; not that he intended to remain on that
uncivilized island, but he wished to proceed from thence to Port Jackson as a free colonist.
He invested his little capital in seeds of every description, and some cattle, to take out
with him. They had a prosperous voyage till they were near the coast of New Guinea,
when they were overtaken by a frightful storm. At this period he commenced his journal,
which he afterwards committed to the care of Mr. Horner, to be forwarded to his friends
in Switzerland.
Some time before, a boat from an English