Stephen Palmer Blake was born in 1822 in West Cambridge, MA. At the age of 15, he went to sea as a cabin boy, and by diligent performance of duty, keen intelligence and sterling honesty, he rose through all grades of sailors and officers to the responsible position of captain of a sailing vessel. He followed the sea for 35 years. He was engaged in commerce, and his business took him to almost every land. Distant cities and countries were familiar to him. He trod their soil, saw their occupations, talked with their people -- and recorded his observations in his journals. - Jacket flap.