Borneo and the Indian Archipelago with drawings of costume and scenery

"Borneo and the Indian Archipelago" by Frank Marryat is a recounting of the author's adventures as a midshipman aboard H. M. S. Samarang during a mid-1800s surveying mission, delivering an in-depth account of the people, environments, and ocean life found in Borneo and neighboring islands. Beginning with their departure from Portsmouth, Marryat maps out the voyage, stopping at places like the Canary Islands and the Cape of Good Hope, while recounting interactions and experiences of the crew along the way. Marryat underscores the critical role of visual documentation, referencing his collection of drawings of local dress and landscapes essential to his comprehensive observations while foreshadowing significant meetings with native populations, pirate encounters, and the civilizing work of figures like Mr. Brooke in Sarawak.