A HAND-BOOK OF HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORANEOUS INFORMATION FOR VISITORS. SECOND EDITION. "The Truth Without Fear or Favor." COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY HENRY 8. WYER, NANTUCKET, 1906. 000 In compiling this volume I have carefully examined many books and pamphlets bearing on the subject, and have obtained much valuable information therefrom. At the same time my conviction has been strengthened that the history of Nantucket has yet to be written. It is to be earnestly hoped that the writer who undertakes this important work will bring to his task both courage and sympathy: courage to face unpleasant facts and state them in good plain English; sympathy to see and describe the brighter side. Without such equipment no true or adequate history of a people can be written. To do full justice to the many varying phases of the subject must be the work of numerous writers, each seeing from his own standpoint. My purpose in this little book has been simply to provide, for the use of visitors especially, a condensed account of the island's history from its discovery to the present time. All that is claimed for it is that the facts have been gathered from the most reliable sources. I have been favored in my work with the valuable assistance of several of my friends who have written on special subjects, and others who have aided me in various ways. I also acknowledge my indebtedness to the authors from whose works quotations have been made. In the present revised edition accounts are given of several new (or enlarged) enterprises in the town; notably, the Historical Association Building; the Public School for Manual Training; the Local Station of New York Yacht Club; and the Athletic Association's Club House. An Appendix also is added. H. S. W. |