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