Les Baleiniers; Terres Antipodiques; Journal du Docteur Maynard
The Whalers
voyage/travel, pub:1858, action:1838
Describes whaling in New Zealand.
From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: The narrative of Dr. Félix Maynard, who served as surgeon on board a whaler in New Zealand waters about 1838. The account is very interesting, and gives us a number of side-lights upon the natives as well as on the whale fishing.
Dumas became friendly with Dr. Maynard, and published a number of pieces from his pen in "Le Mousquetaire." He also obtained, for him the insertion of "Les Baleiniers" in "Le Siècle" as a feuilleton, under the title of "Terres Antipodiques." Dumas edited the work personally and most excellently ; careful reading reveals his pruning, as may be detected in the occasional promise of information which does not eventuate. Further, there are portions where the romancer's style can be plainly recognised. It was issued as "Publié par Alex. Dumas." This work has its value among those dealing with the early days in New Zealand.
It first ran through the pages of "Le Siècle," during 1855.
There has been considerable doubt as to the original edition, but it now seems to be definitely : Paris, Cadot, 3 vols., 8vo., 1858.
As "Les Baleiniers;" Paris, Michel Lévy Frères, 2 vols., 1860.
It is now included in the standard Calmann-Lévy edition in two volumes, and in one of the same firm's "Musée Littéraire."
In Le Vasseur's "Alexandre Dumas Illustré" it forms part of Vol. XXIII.
References :—
Dumas: "Causerie" in "Le Mousquetaire" for April 4th, 1855.
McNab: "Old Whaling Days," Chapter IV., "The French Fleet." Whitcombe and Tombs (N.Z.), 8vo., 1914.
Dumas: "Le Monte-Cristo," No. for April 23rd, 1857, page 15.
