He lectured in cities as widely apart as Montreal, Chicago, Baltimore, and San Francisco, sailing to the last-named place in 1860, by way of Cape Horn, on the Meteor, commanded, by his younger brother, Captain Thomas Melville, afterward governor of the 'Sailor's Snug Harbor' at Staten Island, N.Y.Besides his voyage to San Francisco, he had, in 1849 and 1856, visited England, the Continent, and the Holy Land, partly to superintend the publication of English editions of his works, and partly for recreation.
A pronounced feature of Melville's character was his unwillingness to speak of himself, his adventures, or his writings in conversation.

He was, however, able to overcome this reluctance on the lecture platform.
Our author's tendency to philosophical discussion is strikingly set forth in a letter from Dr.Titus Munson Coan to the latter's mother, written while a student at Williams College over thirty years ago, and fortunately preserved by her.

Dr.Coan enjoyed the friendship and confidence of Mr.Melville during most of his residence in New York.

The letter reads:-- 'I have made my first literary pilgrimage, a call upon Herman Melville, the renowned author of 'Typee,' etc.

He lives in a spacious farmhouse about two miles from Pittsfield, a weary walk through the dust.