By the Rev. Gil. White. 1789, 4to.--This most delightful work has lately
been republished in 2 vols. 8vo. It is an admirable specimen of topography,
both as to matter and style; and proves in how laudable and useful a manner
a parish priest may employ his leisure time, and how serviceable he may be
to the natural history and antiquities of his country.
497. Six Weeks' Tour through the Southern Counties of England and Wales. By
Arthur Young.--Six Months' Tour through the North of England. 4
vols.--Farmer's Tour through the East of England.--Though these works are
almost entirely directed to agriculture, yet they contain much information
on the subject of manufactures, population, &c. as they were about the
middle of the last century.
498. Hassel's Tour in the Isle of Wight, 1790. 2 vols. 4to.--1798. 2 vols.
8vo.--Picturesque.
499. A Picture of the Isle of Wight. By Penruddocke Wyndham, 1794.--This
author also wrote a Tour in Monmouthshire and Wales; they are both
principally picturesque.
500. Observations relative chiefly to the Natural History, Picturesque
Scenery, and Antiquities of the Western Counties of England, 1794-96. By W.
George Maton. 1796, 2 vols. 8vo.--The title sufficiently indicates the
nature of the work, which is valuable, especially in what relates to
natural history.
501. Journal of Tour and Residence in Great Britain, 1810-11. By a
Frenchman. M. Simond. 2 vols. 8vo.--There are few Travels superior to
these: literature, politics, political economy, statistics, scenery,
manners, &c. are treated of in a manner that displays much talent and
knowledge, and less prejudice than foreigners usually exhibit. The only
branch of natural history, on which the author descants, is mineralogy and
geology.
502. Itinerarium Magnæ Brittaniæ, oder Reise Beschrievbung durch Engel.
Schott. und Irland. Strasburg, 1672. 8vo.
503. Reise durch England. Von Volkman. Leipsic, 1781-2. 4 vols. 8vo.--Arts,
manufactures, economy, and natural history.
504. Der Lustand der Staats, der Religion, &c. in Gros Britanien. Von
Wendeborn. Berlin. 4 vols. 8vo.--This work, which exhibits a pretty
accurate picture of the statistics, religion, literature, &c. of Britain,
at the close of the eighteenth century, has been translated into English.
505. Beschriebung einer Reise, von Hamburgh nach England. Von P. A Nemnich.
Tubingen, 1801. 8vo.--The state of our principal manufactures is the almost
exclusive object of this work.
506. Mineralogische und Technologische Bemerkungen auf einer Reise durch
verschiedene Provinzen in England und Schottland. Von J.C. Fabricius.
Leipsic, 1784. 8vo.--This work, the nature of which is indicated in the
title, is enriched by the notes of that distinguished mineralogist Ferber.
507. Reise nach Paris, London, &c. Von. Franck. Vienna, 1804. 2 vols.
8vo--This work of Dr. Franks, which is chiefly confined to England and
Scotland, is principally interesting to medical men, as it contains an
account of hospitals, prisons, poor-houses, infirmaries, &c.
508. Gedenkwaardije a antkeningen gedaan door en reisiger, van geghel
England, Schottland, ent Irland. Utrecht, 1699. fol.
509. Kort Journel eller Reise beskrievelse til England, ved Christ Gram.
Christiana, 1760. 4to.
510. Reise durch einen Theil von England und Schottland, 1802-3. 8vo.
Marburg, 1811.--These travels,--which, like all travels in our own country
by foreigners, are interesting, independently of any intrinsic merit,
because they exhibit the impressions made on them by what to us is either
common or proper,--are translated from the Swedish: the author's name is
Svedensgerna.
511. Erinnerungen von einer Reise durch England, 1803-5. Von Johanna
Schopenhauser. 2 vols. 8vo. Rudolst, 1813.--Light and lively sketches.
512. P. Coronelli Viaggio nell' Enghilterra. Venice, 1697. 8vo.--These
three works, Nos. 509, 510, and 512, by a Dutchman, a Dane, and Italian,
are interesting from the picture they exhibit of Britain at the close of
the seventeenth, and in the middle of the eighteenth century.
513. Journée faite en 1788 dans la Grande Bretagne. Paris, 1790. 8vo.--The
author, who recommends himself by stating that he could speak English,
principally directs his enquiries to agriculture and manufactures.
514. Voyages dans les Trois Royaumes d'Angleterre, d'Ecosse, et d'Irlande,
1788-89. Par Chantreau. Paris, 1792. 3 vols. 8vo.--The political
constitution, religious opinions, manners, prejudices, state of arts and
sciences, &c. of Britain, are treated of here with considerable talent for
observation, and on the whole not unfairly.
515. Tableau de la Grande Bretagne et de l'Irlande. Par A. Baert. Paris,
1800. 4 vols. 8vo.--This author frequently visited England, and resided
here for some time: his work relates to our commerce, finances, naval and
military force, religious opinions, literature, arts and manufactures, and
physical and moral character.
516. Voyage de trois Mois en Angleterre, en Ecosse, et en Irlande. Par M.A.
Pictet. Paris, 1802. 8vo.--The state of the arts and sciences principally,
and the state of agriculture, and the natural history, especially geology,
are the objects of this work. The literary character of the author is well
known; this work, perhaps, hardly is worthy of it.
517. Londres et les Anglais. Par Saint Constant. Paris, 1804. 4 vols.
8vo.--Manners, government, religion, domestic life, and the state of
agriculture, the arts, sciences, manufactures, and of literature in
general,--all fall within the observation of our author, and are treated of
fully, and with fewer mistakes and prejudices than Frenchmen generally
discover when writing on England.
518. Voyage en Ecosse, &c. Par L.A. Necker-Saussure. Paris, 1821. 3 vols.
8vo.--These travels, by the honorary professor of mineralogy and geology at
Geneva, were performed in 1806--8. They relate chiefly to the geology of
the country, and the character and usages of the Highlanders, and will be
found interesting to the general reader, as well as instructive to the
scientific.
519. Faujas St. Fond's Travels in England, Scotland, and the Hebrides,
1797. 2 vols. 8vo.--Amidst much mineralogical and geological information
(the latter, perhaps, led sometimes astray by theory), there are some
interesting notices of the arts and sciences, and of literary men.
520. Monroe's Description of the Western Isles of Scotland, in 1549. Edin.
1774. 12mo.
521. Account of the Orkney Islands. By James Wallace. Edin. 1693. 8vo.
522. Martin's Voyage to St. Kilda. Lond. 1698. 2 vols. 8vo.
523. Martin's Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, and of the
Orkney and Shetland Isles. 1716. 8vo.
524. Edmonstone's View of the Ancient and Present State of the Shetland
Islands. 2 vols. 8vo. 1809.--Dr. E. is a native of these Islands, and has
long resided there: perhaps, if these favourable circumstances had been
aided by a sounder judgment, a better taste, and more knowledge, this work
would have been improved. As it is, it may advantageously be consulted for
what relates to the civil, political, and natural history; agriculture,
fisheries, and commerce; antiquities, manners, &c. of these islands.
525. Description of the Shetland Islands, comprising an Account of their
Geology, Scenery, Antiquities, and Superstitions. By Dr. Hibbert. 4to.--The
title indicates the objects of the work: the information is valuable: some
of it new; but not sufficiently select or condensed.
526. The Rev. Dr. Barry's History of the Orkney Islands. 4to.--Besides
historical information, Dr. B. gives full notices on the inhabitants and
natural history: in the latter respect, however, this work is improved in
the Second Edition, published by Mr. Headrich.
527. Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, including the Isle of
Man. By Dr. J. Macculloch. 2 vols. 8vo. and 1 vol. of plates, 4to.
1819.--Although, as might be expected from the pursuits of the author,
mineralogy and geology are particularly attended to, yet this work is
valuable and instructive also on the subjects of the agriculture, scenery,
antiquities, and economy of these islands, and is indeed a work of great
merit.
528. Sibbald's History and Description of Fife. 1720. fol.
529. Sibbald's History and Description of Lithgow and Stirlingshires. 1710.
fol.
These works are curious from the description they give of these parts of
Scotland, at a period when manners, customs, sentiments, feelings, and
superstitions, had not been acted upon by much civilization, knowledge,
or intercourse with England. Sir Robert Sibbald's works also are
valuable, even yet, for their natural history.
530. Letters from the North of Scotland. Written by a Gentleman to his
Friend in London. 2 vols. 8vo.--These letters, which describe the
Highlanders a century ago, are extremely curious and interesting. They seem
to have been little known, till the author of Waverley introduced them to
public approbation. Since that they have been twice republished; once with
dissertations and notes.
531. Pennant's Tour to Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides. 3 vols. 4to.
1774.
532. Dr. Johnson's Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. 1775. 8vo.
533. Account of the present State of the Hebrides and Western Coast of
Scotland. By John Anderson. Edin. 1785.--Written expressly to point out
means of improvement. The two following works had the same object in view:
534. Knox's Tour in the Highlands of Scotland and the Hebrides. 1786. 2
vols. 8vo.
535. Buchanan's Travels in the Western Hebrides, 1782-90. Lond. 1793. 8vo.
536. Cardonnel's Antiquities and Picturesque Scenery of the North of
Scotland. 1798. 4to.
537. Stoddart's Remarks on the Local Scenery and Manners of Scotland,
1799-1800. Lond. 1801. 2 vols.8vo.--The principal design of these two works
is sufficiently indicated in their titles.
538. Dr. Garnett's Tour through the Highlands and Part of the Western
Islands of Scotland. 1800. 2 vols. 4to.--Agriculture, manufactures,
commerce, antiquities, botany, and manners, are treated of, though not in a
masterly manner.
539. Travels in Scotland and Ireland, 1769-72. Chester, 1774. 2 vols. 4to.
540. Tour in Scotland and Ireland, 1775, 8vo.
541. Ed. Spencer's View of the State of Ireland, 1633. folio.--Also in his
works, and in a collection of old tracts lately published on this kingdom.
542. A Natural History of Ireland, in Three Parts. By several hands. Boate
and Molyneaux. Dublin, 1726.--This work contains much curious information,
sound and accurate, considering when it was written.
543. Tour in Ireland, in 1715. London, 1716. 8vo.
544. Bush's Hiberna Curiosa. Dublin. 4to.--The materials of this work,
which chiefly is occupied with a view of manners, agriculture, trade,
natural curiosities, &c. were collected during a tour in 1764-69.
545. Hamilton's Letters on the Northern Coast of Ireland, 1764. 8vo.--This
is a valuable work respecting the mineralogy and geology, and especially
the Giant's Causeway.
546. Campbell's Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland, 1777. 8vo.
547. Arthur Young's Tour in Ireland, 1776-79. 2 vols. 8vo.--An admirable
picture of the agriculture and general state of Ireland at this period.
548. Cooper's Letters on the Irish Nation, 1800. 8vo.--Manners, national
character, government, religion principally; with notices on agriculture,
commerce, &c.
549. Account of Ireland, Statistical and Political. By Edward Wakefield,
1812. 4to.--An immense mass of information, chiefly relating to the
agriculture, statistics, political and religious state of Ireland, not well
arranged; and the bulk much increased by irrelevant matter.
550. Robertson's Tour through the Isle of Man, 1794. 8vo.
551. Wood's Account of the Past and Present State of the Isle of Man, 1811.
8vo.
552. Falle's Account of Jersey, 1734, 8vo.
553. Berry's History of Guernsey, with particulars of Alderney, Sark, and
Jersey, 1815. 4to.
554. Dicey's Account of Guernsey, 1751. 12mo.
555. Neueste reisen durch Schottland and Ireland. Von Volkman. Leip. 1784.
8vo.--Economy, manufactures, and natural history.
556. Briefe uber Ireland. Von Kuttner, Leip. 1785, 8vo.--This author
published Travels in Holland and England, which, as well as the present,
indicate an attentive, careful, and well-informed observer of manners,
national character, and statistics.
PORTUGAL AND SPAIN.
Good travels in the Peninsula, especially in the English language, are
by no means numerous, yet there are portions of it highly interesting in
a physical point of view; and the Spanish national character, and
manners, as well as the Roman and Arabian antiquities in Spain and
Portugal, furnish ample and rich materials to the traveller.
557. Memoirs of Lord Carrington, containing a Description of the Government
and Manners of the present Portuguese, 1782. 8vo.
558. Murphy's Travels in Portugal, 1789-90. 4to.--Monuments, public
edifices, antiquities principally; the physical state of the country, its
agriculture, commerce, arts, literature, &c. sensibly but not extensively.
559. Link's Travels in Portugal, 1797-99. 8vo.--This work, originally
published in German, consists in that language of 2 vols. 8vo. There was
likewise published in French, Paris, 1805. 1 vol. 8vo., Voyage en Portugal,
par M. le Comte de Hoffmansegg,--as a continuation of Link's Travels, the
Count having travelled in this country with Mr. Link, and continued in it
after the latter left it. Mr. Link being a distinguished natural historian,
directed his attention chiefly to geology, mineralogy and botany; but he
does not neglect other topics, and he has added a dissertation on the
literature of Portugal, and on the Spanish and Portuguese languages. The
supplemental volume is also rich in natural history, and extends to an
account of the manufactures, political institutions, &c. of Portugal.
560. Twiss's Travels through Portugal and Spain, 1772-73. 4to.--Literary,
antiquarian, and descriptive of manners, customs, and national characters.
561. Dalrymple's Travels through Spain and Portugal, 1774. Dublin, 1777.
12mo.
562. Southey's Letters on Spain and Portugal, 1797. 8vo.--Literature and
manners; but in a manner not worthy of the author's talents and reputation.
563. Ed. Clarke's Letters on the Spanish Nation, 1765. 4to.--The author was
chaplain to Lord Bristol, in his Spanish Embassy. Antiquities and Spanish
literature; in the Appendix there is a catalogue of MSS. in the library of
the Escurial.
564. Swinburne's Travels through Spain, 1775-76. 2 vols. 8vo. Roman and
Moorish architecture are particularly attended to; this work is also
valuable and instructive for its full details in every thing relating to
Catalonia and Grenada, two of the most interesting provinces in Spain.
565. Dillon's Travels through Spain, 1782. 4to.--Natural history and
physical geography.
566. Bourgoing's Travels in Spain, with Extracts from the Essays on Spain.
By M. Peyren, 1789. 3 vols. 8vo.--This is an excellent work, translated
from the French. The author, however, did not visit Catalonia or Grenada.
Natural history is not attended to; but all that relates to manufactures,
the civil, political, and religious state of Spain, manners, literature and
similar topics, is treated of fully and well. The work of M. Peyren, from
which extracts are given, is entitled Nouveau Voyage en Espagne, Paris,
1782. 2 vols. 8vo. and treats of antiquities, manners, commerce, public
tribunals, &c.; it notices some cities and parts of Spain omitted, or but
partially noticed by Swinburne and Bourgoing. The work of the latter has
also been added to by the following work, Voyage en Espagne, 1797-8. Par C.
A. Fischer. Paris, 1800. 2 vols. 8vo. Fischer also published in 1804. 8vo.,
Description de Valence, to complete his Travels in Spain. Both these were
originally published in German, and translated into French, by Cramer; and
they both are most valuable additions to Bourgoing's works.
567. Townshend's Journey through Spain, in 1786. 3 vols. 8vo.--An excellent
work, particularly on the economy, agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and
general statistics of Spain.
568. Voyage du ci-devant duc du Chatelet en Portugal, 1777. Paris, 1798. 2
vols. 8vo.--This work, which has been translated into English, was in
reality written by M. Cormartin, one of the Vendean chiefs; it is very full
and various, as well as excellent in its contents, embracing physical
geography, agriculture, arts, sciences and manufactures, government,
manners, religion, literature, &c., in short, every thing but antiquities
and public buildings.
569. Observations du Physique et de Médecine, faites en différens lieux de
l'Espagne. Par M. Thiery. Paris, 1791. 2 vols. 8vo.--This medical Tour
contains much information on the climate, soils, geology of Spain; and on
the food, domestic life of its inhabitants, particularly relating to
Castile, Arragon, Navarre, Biscay, Gallicia and Asturia. There is also a
particular description of the quicksilver mine at Almaden, in La Mancha.
570. Voyage Pittoresque et Historique de l'Espagne. Par La Borde. Paris, 4
vols. fol.
571. Itinéraire Descriptif de l'Espagne. Par La Borde. Paris, 1809. 5 vols.
8vo.
572. Lettres sur l'Espagne, ou Essais sur les Moeurs, les Usages, et la
Litérature de ce Royaume. Par Beauharnois. Paris, 1810. 2 vols. 8vo.
573. A Visit to Spain in the latter part of 1822, and the first four Months
of 1823. By Michael Quin. 8vo. 1823.--A sensible and impartial view of the
state of Spain at this interesting period; giving much insight into the
character of the Spaniards.
574. Reise beschriebung durch Spanien und Portugal. Von M. Zeiller. Ulm,
1631. 8vo.
575. Reise beschrieburg nach Spanien. Franchfort, 1676. 8vo.--These two
works are chiefly valuable for that which gives interest and value to all
old travels; as describing manners, &c. at a distant period.
576. Neueste reise durch Spanien. Von Volkman. Leipsic, 1785. 2 vols.
8vo.--Arts, manufactures, commerce and economy.
577. Nieuve Historikal en Geographische Reise beschryving van Spanien en
Portugal. Don W. Van den Burge. Hague, 1705. 2 vols. 4to.
578. Descripcion de España de Harif Alcides Coneido. Madrid, 1799.
4to.--This work, by the geographer of Nubia, as he is generally called, is
extremely interesting from the picture it gives of Spain under the Moors.
It was translated by D.J.A. Condé, who has added notes, comparing its state
at that remote period, and in 1799.
579. Ponz Viage de España. Madrid, 1776, &c. 18 vols. 12mo.--Full of matter
of various kinds, but tedious and dry.
580. Introduccion a la Historia natural y geographia-fisico del Reyno de
España. Par D. Guill. Bowles.--The Italian translation of this work, Parma,
1783. 8vo. (the nature of which is sufficiently indicated by the title)
contains a commentary and notes by the translator, A. Zara, which adds to
its value, in itself not small.
581. Descrizione della Spagna di Don A. Conca. Parma, 1793-7. 4 vols.
8vo.--This work is chiefly devoted to the fine arts, of which it enters
into a full and minute description. There are also notices of antiquities,
and natural history. It is admirably printed by Bodoni.
VII. AFRICA.
AFRICA IN GENERAL.
582. Historical Account of Discoveries and Travels in Africa. By the late
John Leyden, M.D., enlarged and completed to the present time by Hugh
Murray, Esq., 2 vols. 8vo. 1817.--A useful, correct, and, in general,
accurate and complete compilation, which satisfies the purpose and promise
held out in the title.
583. Leoni Africani totius Africæ Descriptionis. Lib. VIII. Leyd. 1682.
8vo.--This work was originally written in Arabic, then translated into
Italian by the author, and from Italian into Latin, French, Dutch, and
English. The Italian translation is the only correct one: to the French,
which is expanded into 2 vols. folio, and was published at Lyons in 1566,
there are appended several accounts of Voyages and Travels in Africa. Leo
was a Spanish Moor, who left Spain at the reduction of Grenada, and
travelled a long time in Europe, Asia, and Africa: his description of the
northern parts of Africa is the most full and accurate.
584. L'Afrique de Marmol. Paris, 1669. 3 vols. 4to.--This translation, by
D'Ablancourt, of a very scarce Portuguese writer, is not made with
fidelity. The subsequent discoveries in Africa have detailed several
inaccuracies in Marmol; but it is nevertheless a valuable work: the
original was published in the middle of the sixteenth century.
585. Geschichte der neuestin Portugeiesischen Entdeckungen en Africa, von
1410, bis 1460. Von M.C. Sprengel. Halle, 1783. 8vo.--This account of the
discoveries of Prince Henry is drawn up with much judgment and learning.
586. Neue Beitrage zur Keuntniss von Africa. Von J.R. Forster. Berlin,
1794. 2 vols. 8vo.
587. Neue Systematescke Erd-beschriebung von Africa. Von Bruns. Nurem.
1793-99. 6 vols. 8vo.--A most valuable work on Africa in general.
THE NORTH OF AFRICA.
Those portions of Africa which are washed by the Mediterranean sea,
possess strong and peculiar attractions for the traveller. It is only
necessary to name Egypt, to call up associations with the most remote
antiquity,--knowledge, civilization, and arts, at a period when the rest
of the world had scarcely, as it were, burst into existence. From the
earliest records to the present day, Egypt has never ceased to be an
interesting country, and to afford rich materials for the labours,
learning, and researches of travellers. The rest of the Mediterranean
coast of Africa, where Carthage first exhibited to the world the
wonderful resources of Commerce, and Rome established some of her most
valuable and rich possessions, are clothed with an interest and
importance scarcely inferior to that which Egypt claims and enjoys.
While the countries on the north-east, washed by the Red Sea, in
addition to sources of interest and importance common to them, and to
Egypt and Barbary, are celebrated on account of their having witnessed
and assisted the first maritime commercial intercourse between Asia, and
Africa, and Europe.
588. Relation d'un Voyage de Barbarie, fait à Alger, pour la Redemption des
Captifs. Paris, 1616. 8vo.
589. Relation de la Captivité à Alger d'Emmanuel d'Arande. Paris, 1665.
16mo.--This work, originally published in Spanish, contains, as well as the
preceding one, some curious particulars regarding the manners of Algiers,
especially the court, in the middle of the seventeenth century.
590. Voyage en Barbarie, 1785-88, par Poiret. Paris, 1789. 2 vols.
8vo.--This work, which was translated into English in 1791, is chiefly
confined to that part of Barbary which constituted the ancient Numidia, and
is interesting from the picture it exhibits of the Bedouin Arabs, and from
the details into which it enters regarding the natural history of the
country, especially the botany.
591. Relations des Royaumes de Fez et de Maroc, traduites de Castellan de
Diego Torrez. Paris, 1636. 4to.
592. Histoire de la Mission des Pères Capuchins, au royaume de Maroc. 1644.
12mo.
593. Relation des Etats du Roi de Fez et de Maroc, par Frejus. Paris, 1682.
12mo.--Frejus was sent by the French King to Fez in 1666, for the purpose
of establishing a commercial intercourse: his work is full and particular
on the manners, customs, &c., of the country and people of this part of
Africa; there is, besides, much curious information drawn from the
observations of M. Charant, who lived 25 years in Fez and Morocco,
respecting the trade to Tombuctoo. The coasts, currents, harbours, &c., are
also minutely described. The French edition of 1682, and the English
translation of 1771, contain the letters of M. Charant, giving the results
of his information on these points.
594. Recherches Historiques sur les Maures, et Histoire de l'Empereur de
Maroc, par Chenier. Paris, 1788. 3 vols. 8vo. M. Chenier was Charge des
Affaires from the King of France to the Emperor of Morocco. The two first
volumes are historical; in the third volume there is much valuable
information on the physical, moral, intellectual, commercial, and political
state of this kingdom.
595. Histoire du Naufrage, et de la Captivité de M. de Brisson. Paris,
1789. 8vo. This work, together with the travels of Saugnier, is translated
into English; it contains a description of the great desert. This singular
portion of Africa is also particularly described in the following works.
596. Voyage dans les Deserts de Sahara, par M. Follies Paris, 1792. 8vo.
597. Travels or Observations relating to several parts of Barbary and the
Levant, by T. Shaw. 1757. 4to.--The character of this work, for the
information it contains in antiquities and natural history, is too well
known and firmly established to require any particular notice or
commendation. Algiers, Tunis, Syria, Egypt, and Arabia Petrea, were the
scene of these travels and researches.
598. A Journey to Mequinez, by J. Windhus. 1723. 8vo. In 1721, Captain
Stewart was sent by the English government to Fez and Morocco to redeem
some captives; this work, drawn up from the observations made during this
journey, is curious: the same remark applies generally to the other works,
which are drawn from similar sources, and of which there are several in
French and English.
599. History of the Revolution in the Empire of Morocco in 1727-8, by
Captain Braithwaite. 1729. 8vo. Besides the historical details, the
accuracy of which is undoubted, as Braithwaite was an eye-witness of the
events he describes, this work gives us some valuable information on the
physical and moral state of the people.
600. Lemprieres Tour from Gibraltar to Tangier, Sals, Mogador, &c., and
over Mount Atlas, Morocco, &c. 1791.--The author of this work, (who was a
medical man, sent by the Governor of Gibraltar at the request of the
Emperor of Morocco, whose son was dangerously ill,) possessed, from the
peculiar circumstances in which he was placed, excellent opportunities of
procuring information; the most interesting and novel parts of his work
relate to the haram of the Emperor, to which, in his medical character, he
had access; the details into which he enters, respecting its internal
arrangements and the manners of its inhabitants, are very full and curious.
601. Tully's Letters from Tripoly. 3 vols. 8vo.--Much curious information
on the domestic life and manners of the inhabitants, and more insight into
female manners and character, than is generally gained respecting the
females of this part of Africa.
602. Captain Lyons' Travels in Northern Africa, from Tripoly to Mouzzook.
1821. 4to.--Though the object of these travels was not accomplished, they
contain much information on the geography of central Africa collected
during them. On this important point, the Quarterly Review should be
consulted.
603. Schousboe Betrachtungen uber das Gewæsrich, en Marokko. Copenhag.
1802. 8vo.--This work, translated from the Danish, relates chiefly to the
botany, metereology, soil and productions of Morocco; and on other topics
it gives accurate and valuable information.
604. Viaggio da Tripoli alto Frontiere dell' Egitto. 1817. P. Della
Cella.--The scene of these travels must give them an interest and value,
since they embrace "one of the oldest and most celebrated of the Greek
colonies," and a country "untrodden by Christian feet since the expulsion
of the Romans, the Huns, and the Vandals, by the enterprising disciples of
Mahomet," The work, however, proves that its author was not qualified to
avail himself of such a new and interesting field of enquiry, remark, and
research, to the extent which might have been expected.
EGYPT
Whoever wishes to be informed respecting the state of Egypt and its
inhabitants during the remotest ages to which they can be traced, must
have recourse to the accounts given of them in the Scriptures, and by
Herodotus and other ancient writers. During the dark and middle ages, as
they are called, information may be drawn from the following sources.
605. Abdollatiphi Historiæ Egypti Compendium, Arabice et Latine. Oxford,
1800. 4to.--There are several editions of this work: the one, the title of
which we have just given, was edited by Professor White. He also published
a preceding one without the Latin version; which was republished at
Tubingen, with a preface by Paulus. An interesting and instructive "Notice
de cet ouvrage," was published by Sacy, the celebrated orientalist, at
Paris, in 1803. The Arabian author relates what he himself saw and learnt
in Egypt, and is particularly full on the plants of the country; the
historical part occupies only the two last chapters; he lived towards the
end of the twelfth century.
606. Abulfedæ Descriptio Egypti, Arabice et Latine, notas adjecit J.
Michaelis. Gottingen, 1776. 4to.--This author lived in the fourteenth
century, and was celebrated for his geographical knowledge, of which this
work is a valuable proof.
607. L'Egypti de Murtadi. Paris, 1666. 12mo.--This work of the middle ages,
translated from an Arabic manuscript belonging to Cardinal Mazarin, is
curious, but extremely rare.
608. Nouvelle Relation d'un Voyage en Egypte. Par Wansleb. 1672-73. Paris,
1678. 12mo.--Wansleb was a German, sent into Egypt and Ethiopia by the Duke
of Saxe Gotha, to examine the religious rites and ceremonies of the
Christians there. He was afterwards sent again into Egypt by Colbert; the
fruit of this journey was a great number of curious and valuable
manuscripts, which were deposited in the Royal Library at Paris. Besides
the work just stated, he published in Italian "Relatione dello Stato
presente dell' Egypto". Pans, 1671. 12mo.--Both these works are
particularly useful and instructive on the subject of antiquities, and for
the accuracy of the descriptions and names he gives to the different places
and ruins.
609. Description de l'Egypte, composée sur les Mémoires de M. Maillet.
Paris, 1741. 2 vols. 12mo.--Maillet was French Consul at Cairo for sixteen
years: his work is valuable on antiquities, and the religion of the ancient
and modern Egyptians. It may also be consulted with advantage for
information on the manners and customs; but in what he relates regarding
the Nile and natural history, he is not so accurate and judicious.
610. Lettres sur l'Egypte. Par M. Savary. Paris, 1786. 3 vols. 8vo.--This
work, very celebrated and much read for some time after it appeared, and
translated into English, German, Dutch, and Swedish, gradually lost the
character it had acquired; partly because his descriptions were found to be
overcharged and too favourable, and partly because he describes Upper Egypt
as if he had visited it, whereas he never did. Nevertheless, the learning
and judgment which this author displays in drawing from scarce and little
known Arabic authors, curious notices respecting ancient and modern Egypt,
give to the work an intrinsic and real value, which is not affected by the
observations we have made.
611. Voyage dans la Haute et Basse Egypte. Par Sonnini. Paris, 1799. 3
vols. 8vo.--This work deservedly bears a high character for the accuracy
and fulness of its natural history; especially its ornithology:
antiquities, manners and customs, are by no means overlooked: there are two
translations into English,--the one published by Debrett, 1800, 4to. is the
best; it was afterwards published in 3 vols. 8vo.
612. Voyage dans la Haute et Basse Egypte. Par Denon. Paris, 1802. 2 vols.
folio.
613. Description de l'Egypte, ou Recueil des Observations, &c. faites
pendant l'Expédition de l'Armie Française, en 3 livraisons. Paris, 1809,
&c.
These magnificent works, the result of the observations and researches
of the savans who accompanied Bonaparte, undoubtedly add much to our
knowledge of Egypt; but they are more decidedly specimens of French
vanity and philosophism, than of sober and real science. Denon's work is
translated into English and German: the best English translation is by
Aikin.
614. Norden's Travels in Egypt and Nubia, with Templeman's notes, published
and translated under the inspection of the Royal Society of London, 1757, 2
vols. folio.--Norden was a Danish physician; his work was originally
published in that language. A French translation was published at
Copenhagen, in 1755; and a subsequent one at Paris in 1795-98, in 3 vols.
4to. with very valuable notes and illustrations from ancient and modern
authors, and Arabian geographers, by Langles. The merits of Norden's work,
are of the most enduring and substantial kind, so far as relates to the
Antiquities of Egypt, and the Cataracts: it is high and unequivocal
commendation of this author, that subsequent travellers have found him a
judicious and sure guide.
615. Legh's Journey in Egypt, and the Country beyond the Cataract, 1816,
4to.--In a small compass, there is much new information in these Travels,
though not so much respecting the ancient country of the Ethiopians, in
which Mr. Legh went beyond most former travellers, as could have been
wished. Some parts of the personal narrative are uncommonly interesting.
616. Belzoni's Operations and Discoveries in Egypt, 4to. 1820.--Whoever has
read this book, (and who has not?) will agree with us in opinion, that its
interest is derived, not less from the manner in which it is written, the
personal adventures, and the picture it exhibits of the author's character,
than from its splendid and popular antiquarian discoveries.
617. Edmonston's Journey to two of the Oases of Upper Egypt, 1823. 8vo.
618. Notes during a Visit to Egypt, Nubia, &c. By Sir F. Henniker, 8vo.
1823.
619. Waddington's Journal of a Visit to some parts of Ethiopia, 1823. 4to.
620. Narrative of the Expedition to Dangda and Sennaar. By An American.
1823. 8vo.--These works, and especially the last, make us acquainted with
parts of Africa inaccessible to Europeans till very lately, and add
considerably to our stock of physical and moral geography. Sir F.
Henniker's work brings us in contact, in a very lively and pleasing manner,
with many points in the character and habits of the natives of the country
he visited.
WESTERN AFRICA, AND THE ADJACENT ISLES.
622. Voyages de Aloysio Cadamosto aux Isles Madère, et des Canaries au Cap
Blanc, au Sénégal, &c. en 1455. 4to. Paris, 1508.--This work was originally
published in Italian; its author was employed by Don Henry of Portugal, to
prosecute discovery on the Western Coast of Africa. Besides an interesting
detail of the voyage, it makes us acquainted with the manners and habits of
the people, before they had been accustomed to European intercourse.
622. Voyage de Lybie, ou du Royaume de Sénégal, fait et composé par C.
Jannequin, de retour en France, in 1659. Paris, 1645. 8vo.--This also is an
interesting work, as depicting with great naïveté and force the manners of
the inhabitants, and affording some curious particulars respecting their
diseases.
623. Nouvelle Relation de l'Afrique occidentale. Par Labat. Paris, 1728. 5
vols. 12mo.--Though Labat never visited the countries he describes, which
are, Senegal, and those that lie behind Cape Blanc and Sierra Leone; yet as
he derived his information from the Director General of the French African
Company, it may be depended upon. This work enters into full particulars on
the subject of African commerce, especially that carried on by the Moors in
the interior. The plants, animals, soil, &c. as well as the religion,
government, customs, manufactures are also described.
624. Histoire Naturelle du Sénégal. Par M. Adanson. Paris. 1757. 4to.--M.
Adanson was in this part of Africa, from 1749 to 1753; his chief study and
investigation seems to have been directed to conchology; and the
descriptions and admirable plates in his book, certainly leave little to be
desired on this subject. There are besides remarks on the temperature,
productions, economy, and manufactures of the country.
625. Nouvelle Histoire de l'Afrique Française. Par M. l'Abbé Dumanet.
Paris, 1767. 2 vols. 12mo.--Dumanet was a missionary in Africa, and seems
to have united to religious zeal, much information, and an ardent desire to
gain all the knowledge, which his residence and character placed within his
reach. His notices regarding Senegal in particular, are very valuable, but
his work is not distinguished for order or method.
626. Relations de plusieurs Voyages entrepris à la Côte d'Afrique, au
Sénégal, à Goree, &c. tirées des Journeaux de M. Saugnier. Paris, 1799.
8vo.--M. Saugnier was shipwrecked on the Coast of Africa, along with M.
Follies, and was a long time a slave to the Moors, and the Emperor of
Morocco: he afterwards, on his liberation, made a voyage to Galam. The
first part of his work relates to the great desert, and has been already
noticed; the second part describes the manners, &c. of several tribes near
Galam; and the third relates to the commerce of Galam and Senegal.
627. Voyage au Sénégal, 1784-5. Paris, 1802. 8vo.--The materials of this
work were drawn from the Memoirs of La Jaille, who was sent by the French
Government to examine the coasts from Cape Blanc, to Sierra Leone. The
editor, La Barthe, had access to the MS. in the bureau of the minister of
marine and colonies, and was thus enabled to add to the accuracy and value
of the work. It chiefly relates to geography, navigation, and commerce, and
on all these topics gives full and accurate information.
628. Fragmens d'un Voyage dans l'Afrique occidentale, 1785-87. Par Golbery.
Paris, 1802. 2 vols. 8vo.--The French commercial establishments in Senegal,
the tribes in their vicinity, and the diseases to which Europeans are
liable in this part of Africa, and more particularly the topics of this
work, which has been translated into English.
629. Account of the native Africans in the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone.
By T. Winterbottom, 1803. 2 vols. 8vo.--A very instructive work, entering
into many details on subjects not generally noticed by travellers, but to
which, the thoughts and enquiries of the author, as a medical man, were
naturally drawn.
630. Description of the Coast of Guinea. By W. Bosman, translated from the
Dutch, 1703. 8vo.--This work is very full on most topics relating to
Guinea, not only in its physical, but also its economical and commercial
state; and deservedly bears the character of one of the best old accounts
of this part of Africa.
631. New Accounts of some parts of Guinea and the Slave Trade. By Wm.
Snelgrave, 1727. 8vo.--Works that describe the Slave Trade, before it
roused the notice and indignation of England, are valuable and useful,
because in them no exaggeration can be suspected in the detail, either of
its extent or its horrors: on this account, as well as for its other
commercial information, this work deserves to be read.
632. New Voyage to Guinea. By W. Smith, 1750. 8vo.--The author embraces
almost every thing relating to Guinea, and has succeeded, in a short
compass, to give much information.
633. Observations on the Coast of Guinea. By John Atkin, 1758.
8vo.--Personal adventures, which however let the reader into the manners
and habits of the people, and are told in an interesting manner, nearly
fill this volume.
634. Historical Account of Guinea. By An. Benezet, Philadelphia, 1771,
12mo.--This is one of the first works, which exposed the horrid iniquity of
the Slave Trade.
635. History of Dahomy, an inland Kingdom of Africa. By And. Dalzell, 1789.
4to.--The official situation which the author held, gave him opportunities
of gaining much valuable information in this kingdom and its inhabitants,
the accuracy of which may be depended on.
636. Bowditch's Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, 1819.
4to.--This work is full and minute, but we suspect exaggerated respecting
the Court of Ashantee; on the mass of the people it gives little
information. The part that relates to the geography of middle Africa, is
confused and unsatisfactory.
637. Tuckey's Narrative of an Expedition to explore the River Zaire, in
1816. 4to. The Quarterly Review very justly remarks, that this volume
"contains an important and valuable addition to the records of African
discovery." Natural history was especially advanced by this unfortunate
expedition.
638. Relatio et Descriptio Congo et Cham. Amsterdam, 1659. 4to.--The
materials of this work, are drawn from that of Lopez, which was originally
published in Italian, and forms part of the Grands Voyages. It it very full
on the different races of people, their manners, government, religion,
traffic, &c. as well as on the productions of the soil.
640. Histoire de Loango, Kakougo, et autres Royaumes d'Afrique. Paris,
1776. 12mo.--This work, which is drawn up from the Memoirs of the French
Missionaries, describes the physical state of the country, the manners,
language, government, laws, commerce, &c. of the inhabitants, with great
care; a large portion of it, however, is devoted to an account of the
labours of the missionaries.
641. Voyage à la Côte Méridionale d'Afrique, 1786-7. Par L. de Grandpiè.
Paris, 1802. 2 vols. 8vo.--Much information on the Slave Trade, and a plan
for abolishing it, by introducing civilization and a love of commerce into
this part of Africa, occupy the greater part of the first volume; the
second volume, which comprises the Cape of Good Hope, gives details which
will be found useful to those who navigate and trade in these parts. The
manners, &c. of the people are by no means overlooked.
INTERIOR OF AFRICA.
642. Travels in the inland parts of Africa, to which is added, Captain
Stubbs's Voyage up the Gambia, in 1723. By Francis Moore, 1758. 4to.--1742.
8vo.--This is a valuable work, and introduces the reader to many parts and
tribes of Africa, which even yet are little known, partly drawn from the
accounts of an African prince who came to England. Of this information, and
that collected by Captain Stubbs, Moore, who was superintendant of the
African Company's establishments in the Gambia, availed himself in drawing
up this work.
Little additional information respecting the interior of Africa was
obtained, till the establishment of the African Association in 1788. It
is unnecessary to give an individual and particular character of the
works which were drawn up under their auspices; the persons they
employed, were, in many respects, in general admirably calculated for
the ardous enterprize, and certainly by their labours have added not a
little to our knowledge of the geography, manners, trade, &c. of this
part of Africa. But it is to be regretted, that they were not qualified
to investigate the natural history of the countries they visited,
especially as these must be extremely rich in all the departments of
this branch of science. To these preliminary observations and general
character, we add the titles of the principal travels undertaken under
the auspices of the African Association.
643. African Association, their Proceedings for prosecuting the discovery
of the interior parts of Africa, containing the Journals of Ledyard, Lucas,
Houghton, Horneman, Nicholls, &c. 1810. 2 vols. 8vo.
644. Park's Travels in the interior districts of Africa, 1795-97, with
geographical illustrations, by Major Rennell, 1799. 4to.
645. The Journal of a Mission to the interior of Africa, in 1805. By Park,
1815. 4to.
In 1803, there was published at Paris, a French translation of
Horneman's Travels, with notes, and a memoir on the Oases, by Langles.
Those notes and memoirs were principally drawn from Arabian authors;
and, together with the rectification of the names of places, render the
translation valuable.
646. Jackson's account of Tombuctoo and Housa, with Travels through West
and South Barbary, and across the Mountains of Atlas, 8vo. 1820.--So long
as it is so extremely dangerous and difficult for Europeans to penetrate
into the interior of Africa, we must be content to derive our information
regarding it, from Africans who have travelled thither; and it is evident
that those will be best calculated to collect accurate information from
them, who are acquainted with their language and character, and who have
resided among them. On these accounts, Mr. Jackson's work is valuable and
important; the same remarks apply to his Account of Morocco, 1809. 4to.
647. Riley's Loss of the Brig Commerce, on the west Coast of Africa, 1815.
With an account of Tombuctoo and Wassanah, 4to.
648. Adam's Narrative of a Residence in Tombuctoo. 4to. If these Narratives
can be perfectly depended upon, they add considerably to our information
respecting the Great Desert and the interior of Africa.
649. Sammlung Merkwurdiger Reisen in das innere von Africa, heraus gegeben.
Von E.W. Kuher. Leips. 1790. 8vo.
650. Descrizione dell' Isola della Madera, scritta nella Lingua Latina dal
Conte Julio Laedi, tradotta in volgare da Alemano Fini. Plaisance, 1574.
4to.
651. Histoire de la première Découverte et Conquête des Canaries, 1412. Par
J. Bethancourt: écrite du temps même. Par P. Bouthier, et J. Leverier.
Paris, 1630. 12mo.--This curious and rare work, depicts with great fidelity
and naïveté, the manners, opinions, government, religion, &c. that
prevailed in the Canaries, when they were first conquered.
652. Essai sur les Isles Fortunées, et l'Antique Atlantide. Par Borry de
Saint Vincent. Paris, 1803. 4to. The author of this work resided for some
time in these Islands; and his work, besides historical information, bears
testimony to his having employed his residence in gaining minute
information respecting their soil, climate, natural history, and
productions; and likewise respecting the manners, &c. of the inhabitants.
There is much learned discussion respecting the origin of the Guanches, and
interesting information regarding their civilization and knowledge.
653. Noticias de la Historia general de las Islas de Canaria. Par D.J.
Dariera y Clavigo. Madrid, 1771. 3 vols. 8vo. Borry de Saint Vincent, who
derived much of his information from this work, justly characterizes it as
a valuable and accurate performance.
The Islands of Madeira, Teneriffe, St. Jago, &c. are described in many
Voyages to the East Indies, particularly in Barrow's Voyage to Cochin
China. In the first volume of Sir Hans Sloane's Jamaica, there is also a
good account of Madeira.
THE SOUTH OF AFRICA.
The Cape of Good Hope being generally visited by ships going to the East
Indies and China, there are many accounts of it and the adjacent
country, in the relation of voyages to those parts. Since it came into
the possession of the British, this part of Africa has frequently become
the ultimate and special object of travellers. The oldest accounts were
published in the Dutch and German languages.
654. Reise Beschriebung, 1660-1667 unter die Africanisken Vælker besonders
die Hottentiten. Von. J. Breyer. Leips. 1681. 8vo.
655. Reise nach dem Vorgeberg der Guten Hopnung. Von Peter Kolb. Nuremberg,
3 vol. fol.--This voluminous work, originally published in Dutch, was
abridged and published in French, in 3 vols. 12mo. From this abridgment, an
English translation was published in 2 vols. 8vo. in 1738. Both the entire
and abridged work have been frequently published. The reason for this
popularity and general sale, must be sought in Kolben's work, being, for a
long time, the only detailed account of this part of Africa, and from its
enjoying a reputation for accuracy, which subsequent travellers have
destroyed, especially De la Caille, the celebrated astronomer, in the
following work.
656. Journal du Voyage fait au Cap de Bonne Espérance. Paris, 1673.
12mo.--This work is well known to astronomers; but it also deserves to be
perused by those who wish to detect the errors of Kolben, and by the light
which it throws on the manners of the Hottentots.
657. Description du Cap de Bonne Espérance. Amsterdam, 1778. 8vo.--This
work, translated from the Dutch, contains a Journal of Travels into the
interior, undertaken by order of the Dutch Governor. The first part gives a
short description of the Cape, and the adjacent districts, which seems
drawn from the authority of Kolben, in too many particulars; the second
part contains the Journal of the Travels: and it is more full and
instructive on objects of natural history, than on the customs and manners
of the people. The plates of these are very valuable.
658. Voyage de M. Levaillant, dans l'Intérieur de l'Afrique, 1780-85.
Paris, 2 vols. 8vo.
659. Second Voyage, 1783-1785. Paris, 3 vols. 8vo.--These Travels, which
have been translated into English, possess a wonderful charm in the
narrative, attained, however, too often by the sacrifice of plain and
unadorned truth, to the love of romance and effect. Notwithstanding this
drawback, Levaillant's Travels are valuable for the light they throw on the
natural history of the South of Africa.
660. Voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, 1772-1776. By Sparman, 1785. 2 vols.
4to.--This work was originally published in Swedish; it is interesting, not
only on account of the valuable information it conveys on natural history,
especially botany, and on the manners, &c. of the people, but likewise for
the perseverance and zeal with which Sparman, without friends, assistance,
and almost without pecuniary assistance, forced his way into remote and
barbarous districts.
661. Barrows Travels into the interior of Southern Africa, 1797-1798. 4to.
2 vols. Very few writers of travels have possessed such a variety and
extent of information, both political and scientific, as Mr. Barrow; hence
these volumes are acceptable and instructive to all classes of readers, and
have attained a celebrity not greater than they deserve. In Mr. Barrow's
voyage to Cochin China, there is some information respecting the Cape,
especially an account of a journey to the Booshuana nation. In Thunberg's
voyage to Japan, there is also much information on the geography, natural
history, manners, &c. of the South of Africa.
662. La Trobe's Journal of a Visit to South Africa, in 1815. 4to.
663. Lichtenstein's Travels in Southern Africa, 1803-06. 2 vols. 4to.
664. Campbell's Travels in Africa, by order of the Missionary Society. 2
vols. 8vo.
Additional information may be gleaned from these travels, respecting
South Africa; Campbell penetrated farthest, and discovered some populous
tribes and large towns. La Trobe's is the most interesting narrative.
665. Histoire de la Grande Isle de Madagascar. Par du Flacourt. Paris,
1661. 4to.
666. Relation des Premiers Voyages de la Compagnée des Indes, faits en
l'Isle de Madagascar. Par de Rennefort. Paris, 1668. 16mo.
667. Voyage à l'Isle de France, à l'Isle de Bourbon, &c. Par Bernardin de
St. Pierre. Paris, 1773. 8vo.--This work is full. of accurate and detailed
information on the soil, climate, productions, &c. of the Isle of France,
and on the manners and morals of its inhabitants: on the other Island it is
less instructive.
668. Voyage à l'Isle de Madagascar, et aux Indes Orientates. Par Rochon.
Paris, 1791. 8vo.--This work enters into every subject relating to this
isle and its inhabitants, which can be interesting and instructive to the
naturalist, the political economist, and the moralist; and the information
bears all the marks of accuracy and completeness.
669. Voyages dans les quatre principales Isles des Mers d'A Afrique,
1801-2. Par Borry de Saint Vincent. Paris, 1804. 3 vols. 8vo.--The author
was chief naturalist in the voyage of discovery, under the command of
Captain Baudin. The isles of France and Bourbon are most minutely described
in this work; and the isles of Teneriffe and St. Helena in a less detailed
manner. The information, as might be imagined, relates principally to
natural history, on all the branches of which the author is very full and
instructive; he also extends his remarks to the soil, climate, agriculture,
topography, commerce, manners, &c.
670. Grant's History of Mauritius, or the Isle of France. 1801. 4to.--This
work is drawn principally from the memoirs of Baron Grant, by his son. The
Baron resided nearly twenty years in the island: hence, and from his
acquaintance with most of the scientific and nautical men who visited the
island, he has been enabled to collect much information connected with its
physical state, its harbours, climate, soil, productions, and the manners
of its inhabitants.
ABYSSINIA, NUBIA, &C.
The most ancient descriptions of these countries are to be found in the
collections of M. Thevenot, and Ramusio, already noticed.
671. Lobos's Voyage to Abyssinia, with fifteen Dissertations relating to
Abyssinia. By Le Grand. 8vo. 1789.--This account of Abyssinia during the
middle of the seventeenth century, though principally relating to church
affairs, is yet valuable for its information on the government and manners
of the people, and curious, as giving indications or descriptions of
several animals and birds, the existence of which had been previously
doubted.
672. Travels in Abyssinia. By James Barretti. 1670. 8vo.
673. A new History of Ethiopia. By Joseph Ludolphus. fol. 1684.--Though
Ludolphus did not visit this country, yet his work, originally published in
Latin, with a commentary and appendix by himself, is well worthy of
perusal, as it is full of recondite and important information on the origin
of the Abyssinians, the climate, soil, productions, and the natural
history, physical and moral state of the inhabitants, &c.
674. Bruce's Travels to discover the Source of the Nile. 5 vols. 4to.
1790.--Account of his Life and Writings, and additions to his Travels. By
Alex. Murray. 4to. 1808.
675. Observations on Bruce's Travels. By Warton. 1799, 4to.
676. Observations on the authenticity of Bruce's Travels. Newcastle. 1800.
4to. We have added to the title of Bruce's work, those of two works which
remarked on its authenticity; there were also some acute papers on the
subject in the Monthly Magazine: the result of these, and of the researches
of subsequent travellers, seems to have established the credit of Bruce
generally, though it is now known he did not reach the source of the real
Nile, and that in some descriptions he coloured too highly. After all these
drawbacks, however, his Travels are very valuable, and, with the exception
of the tedious annals of Abyssinia, may be perused with interest and
profit.
677. Salt's Voyage to Abyssinia, and Travels into the interior of that
country. 1809-10: with an account of the Portuguese Settlements on the east
coast of Africa. 4to. 1814.
678. Pearce's true account of the ways and manners of the Abyssinians. (In
the Transactions of the Bombay Society, vol. 2.)
These two works have extended our knowledge of Abyssinia, especially of
the moral state of the people, much beyond what it might have been
expected we should have acquired regarding a country formerly so
inaccessible. Mr. Salt's zeal, and opportunities of information and
observation, have left little to be desired: and from Mr. Pearce, who
resided fourteen years in the country, many particulars may be gathered,
which only a long residence, and that intimacy and amalgamation with the
natives which Mr. Pearce accomplished, can furnish accurately, minutely,
and fully.
VIII. ASIA.
Several circumstances concurred to direct the travels of the dark and
middle ages to Asia. Pilgrimages to the Holy Land;--the wish to
ingratiate the Tartar chiefs, which was naturally felt by the European
powers, when the former were advancing towards the western limits of
Asia; and subsequently, and perhaps consequently, the spirit of
commercial enterprise, were amongst the most obvious and influential
circumstances which led to travels into this quarter of the world, from
the ninth to the fifteenth centuries. Although the travellers during
this period were by no means, in general, qualified to investigate the
physical peculiarities of the countries they visited, and are even
meagre, and often inaccurate in detailing what was level to their
information and capacities, yet, as has been justly observed, "there is
a simplicity in the old writers, which delights us more than the studied
compositions of modern travellers;" to say nothing of the interest which
the first glimpses of a newly discovered country never fail to impart.
We shall therefore annex the titles of the most interesting and
instructive of these travels, which were performed between the ninth and
fifteenth centuries, referring such of our readers who wish for a more
complete list or fuller information on the subject, to the Bibliothèque
des Voyages, Vol. I. p. 32., &c.; Murray's Asiatic Discoveries; the
Review of Murray's work in the 48th number of the Quarterly Review;
Forster's Voyages and Discoveries in the North; and Collection portative
de Voyages. Par C. Langles.
679. Ancient accounts of India and China. By Two Mahomedan Travellers in
the ninth century; translated from the Arabic by E. Renaudot. 8vo.
1733.--The authenticity of this work is established by M. de Guignes,
having found the original in the Royal Library at Paris: and the
information it contains, though mixed with much that is fabulous, is very
curious and valuable, especially in what relates to China.
680. Voyages faites principalement dans les 12, 13, 14, and 15 siècles, par
Benjamin de Tudela, Carpin, Ancilin, Rubruquis, Marco Polo, Haiton,
Mandeville, et Contarini; publiés par P. Bergerin, avec des Cartes
Géographiques. La Haye, 1735. 2 vols. 4to.
This is a valuable collection, except so far as regards Marco Polos'
Travels, the translation of which is neither elegant nor faithful. The
most elaborate and instructive edition of this excellent traveller is
the following:
681. Marco Polos' Travels, translated from the Italian, with notes. By W.
Marsden. 4to. 1818.--"The reproach of dealing too much in the marvellous,
which had been attached to the name of Marco Polo, was gradually wearing
away, as later experience continued to elucidate his veracity; but Mr.
Marsden (who has rendered a special service to literature by his elegant
and faithful translation of these remarkable travels,) has completely
rescued his memory from all stain on that score, and proved him to be not
only an accurate observer, but a faithful reporter of what he saw, and what
he learned from others."--(_Quarterly Review, No. 48. page 325._)
682. Marco Polo Reisen en der Orient, 1272-1295. 8vo. Ronneburgh,
1802.--This translation is accompanied by a learned commentary by the
Editor, F.B. Peregrin.
683. Sauveboeuf, Mémoires des ses Voyages en Turque, en Perse, et en
Arabic. 2 vols. 8vo, Paris, 1807.
VOYAGES AND TRAVELS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF ASIA.
684. Voyages célèbres et remarquables, faits de Perse aux Indes Orientates.
Par J.A. De Mandeso. Amsterdam, folio, 1727.--This work, originally
published in German, exhibits a curious picture of Indostan, the Mogul
empire, Siam, Japan, China, &c., as they existed in the seventeenth
century.
685. Les Voyages et Missions de P. Alex. de Rhodes. Paris, 1682. 4to.--This
is one of the most valuable of the missionary travels in Asia, comprising
Goa, Malacca, Macao, Cochin China, Tonkin, &c.
686. Amenitatum exoticarum fasciculi. Autore E. Koempfer. Lemgo, 1712.
4to.--This work relates principally to Persia, and the easternmost parts of
Asia: M. Langles justly characterizes it as a rich mine of information of
all kinds respecting this portion of the world.
687. Samlung der murkwurdigsten Reisen in den Orient. Von E. Panlus. Jena,
1792-1798. 10 vols. 8vo.--This collection contains many scarce and curious
articles, and is illustrated by learned and judicious notes.
688. Asiatic Researches. 12 vols. 8vo. 1801. 1818.--Though many of the
articles in this valuable work do not strictly and immediately come under
the description of travels, yet even these are so essentially necessary to
a full acquaintance with the most interesting parts of Asia, that we have
deemed it proper to insert the title of this work. A valuable translation
of most of the volumes has been published in Paris, enriched by the
oriental literature of M. Langles; the astronomical and physical knowledge
of M. Delambre; and the natural history knowledge of Cuvier, Lamark, and
Olivier.
689. De la Roque, Voyage de Syrie et du Mont Liban. 2 vols. 12mo. Paris,
1722.
690. Voyage de l'Arabie heureuse par l'Océan Oriental. 12mo. Paris, 1716.
691. Voyage de M. d'Arvieux dans la Palestine, avec Description de
l'Arabie, par Abulfeda. Mémoires du Chevalier d'Arvieux, contenant ses
Voyages à Constantinople, dans l'Asie, la Palestine, l'Egypte, la
Barbarie, &c. Paris, 6 vols. 12mo. 1735.--These are all valuable works,
containing much and accurate information on almost every topic of physical,
statistical, commercial, political and moral geography; the result of long
personal observation, enquiry, and experience. The travels of la Roque into
Arabia are particularly full respecting the history of coffee in Asia and
Europe. The Voyage de M. d'Arvieux was published separately from his
Mémoires, and previously to it, by la Roque, and is very interesting not
only from the simplicity of its style and manner, but also from the vivid
picture which it exhibits of the Bedouins.
692. Voyage en Syrie et en Egypte, 1783-1785. Par Volney. Paris, 1800. 2
vols. 8vo.--The character of this work, of which there is an English
translation, is too well known to be insisted upon here. What relates to
Syria is the most detailed and important, and has been less superseded by
subsequent travellers.
693. A Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, in 1697. By H. Maundrel.
694. The Natural History of Aleppo, and parts adjacent. By Alex. Rumel. 2
vols. 4to. 1794.--This excellent work was translated into German by Gmelin,
with valuable annotations.
695. Mariti's Travels through Cyprus, Syria, and Palestine. 3 vols.
8vo.--The original work in Italian consists of 5 volumes. On all that
relates to Cyprus, this work is particularly interesting and full; there is
also much information regarding it in Sonnini's Travels.
696. Kinnear's Journey though Asia Minor, Armenia, and Koordestan, 1812-14.
8vo.--This work will be particularly interesting to those who wish to trace
the marches of Alexander, and the retreat of the ten thousand, on which
points of history Mr. Kinnear has made some judicious remarks.
697. Beaufort's Karamania. 1818. 8vo.--A valuable addition to the maritime
geography and antiquities of a part of Asia Minor not often described.
698. Reisebescriebung von Arabien. Von C. Niebuhr. Copenhagen, 1772. 4to.
699. Reisebescriebung nach Arabien. Von C. Niebuhr. Copenhagen 1774-1778. 2
vols. 4to.
700. Recueil des Questions proposées à une société des Savans, qui, par
ordre de S.M. Danoise, font le Voyage de l'Arabie. Par M. Michaelis.
Frankfort, 1753. 4to.
701. Pet. Forskal Descriptiones Animalium, Avium, &c. &c. in Itinere
Orientale observatorum. Hafnioe, 1775. 4to.
702. Pet. Forskal Icones rerum naturalium, quas in Itinere Orient, depingi
curavit. Hafnioe, 1776. 4to.--Every thing preparatory to, and connected
with the travels of Niebuhr and his associate, was judiciously and well
planned and executed: the selection of Michaelis to draw up the enquiries
and observations to be made; those he actually proposed: and the learned
men sent out, who were respectively conversant in physics, natural history,
geography, and the connected and auxiliary branches of science. Hence
resulted most admirable works on Arabia: those of Niebuhr, together with
Michaelis, have been translated into French, in 4 vols. 4to. The English
translation, besides omitting the most valuable and scientific parts, is,
in other respects, totally unworthy of the original.
703. Il Viaggio dell Ambrosio Contarini, Ambasciatore della Signiora di
Venetia, al Uxam Cassan, Re de Persia. Ven. 1543, 12mo.
704. Relacion de Don Juan de Persia, en III Libros. Vallad. 1604. 4to.
705. Chardin, Voyages en Persie, et autres lieux de l'Orient. Amsterd. 3
vols. 4to. 1711.--It may justly be said of these travels, that by means of
them, Persia was made better known in every thing relating to its civil,
military, religious, intellectual, moral, scientific, and statistical
condition, than any other part of Asia, at the period when they were
published. Very few travellers are more to be depended upon than Chardin.
706. Tavernier, Voyages en Turquie, en Perse, et aux Indes. 6 Vols. 12mo.
Rouen, 1713.--The credit of this traveller, which had been for some time
suspected, is recovering itself since it has been ascertained that many
points in which he was supposed to have been inaccurate or credulous, are
well founded. As his object was commercial, especially for the purchase of
diamonds, his travels may be consulted with advantage on the subject of the
diamond mines, the traffic in these precious stones, and the various monies
of Asia, and other topics not to be found in other travellers.
707. Observations made on a Tour from Bengal to Persia. By W. Franklin.
1790. 8vo.--The most original and valuable portion of this work relates to
Persia, especially the province of Farsistan; it contains also much
information respecting Goa, Bombay, &c, M. Langles translated it into
French, and added a learned memoir on Persepolis.
The same orientalist, M. Langles, has added to the value and interest of
his translation of G. Forster's Journey from Bengal to England, by his
judicious and instructive notes.
708. Waring's Tour to Sheeraz. 1807. 4to.--This work is chiefly confined to
the manners, laws, religion, language, and literature of the Persians; on
all of which it is instructive and interesting.
709. Morier's Two Journeys through Persia, Armenia, and Asia Minor.
1808-1816. 2 vols. 4to.--The opportunities which M. Morier possessed from
his residence in Persia being much superior to those of a mere traveller,
his work is justly regarded as one of authority on the civil, political,
domestic, and commercial circumstances of the Persians.
710. Sir W. Ousely's Travels in Persia. 1810-12. 4to.--The connexion
between England and Persia, formed, or rather strengthened, in consequence
of the vicinity of our East India possessions to that country, has much
extended our knowledge of it, and this work has contributed not a little to
that knowledge.
711. Kotzebue's Narrative of a Journey into Persia, in the Suite of the
Imperial Embassy, in 1817. 8vo.--It is always desirable to have travels
performed in the same country, especially if it be one remote and little
known, by persons of different nations: thus, different views of the same
circumstances are given, and the truth is elicited. These travels are
interesting in this and other points of view.
712. Ker Porter's Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia,
&c. 2. vols. 4to.--A severer judgment, by suppressing much that is minute
and uninteresting, and dwelling more on important matters, and a knowledge
of natural history, would have enhanced the value of these travels, which,
however, are much more creditable to the author than his Travels in Russia.
713. Reise in den Kaukasies und nach Georgien, 1807-8. 2 vols. 8vo. Halle,
1812.--These travels were undertaken by command of the Russian government,
and are similar in design to those of Pallas; there is an English
translation, but it is indifferently executed.
714. Reisen nach Georgien und Imerethi. Von J.A. Guldenstadt. 8vo. Berlin,
1813.--This work is edited by Klaproth, and is chiefly mineralogical.
715. Lettres sur la Caucase et la Georgie, et un Voyage en Perse en 1812.
8vo.
THE EAST INDIES.
The histories of the discoveries and conquests of the Portuguese in the
East Indies are interspersed with various and numerous particulars
regarding the political state of that country, and the manners, customs,
religion, &c. of the inhabitants. The following French work is valuable
in this respect.
716. Histoire de Portugal; contenant les Entreprises, &c. des Portugais,
tant en la Conquête des Indes Orientales par eux découvertes, qu'en Guerres
d'Afrique et autres Exploits: nouvellement mise en Français. Par S.
Goullard. Paris, 1581. 4to.
717. Navigatio et Itinerarium in Orientalem Indiam, &c. Autore Joanne
Linschot. Amsterd. 1614. folio.
718. Premier Livre de l'Histoire de la Navigation aux Indes Orientales, par
les Hollandois. Amsterd, folio, 1558.
719. Le Second Livre. Amsterd. 1609, folio.
720. Relatio de Rebus in India Orientale, a Patribus. Soc. Jesu. 1598-1599,
peractis, Mayence, 1601. 8vo.--The preceding works give an interesting
picture of the East Indies during the 16th century.
721. Beschrievyng van oude niewe Ostinden. Von. F. Valyntyn. Amster.
1724-1726. 8 vol. fol.--This work appears to be little known, except in
Holland; the author resided upwards of twenty years in India, and has most
industriously, though not always with a good taste, or scrupulous judgment,
collected much minute information on its natural, civil, and religious
state.
722. Alex. Hamilton's Account of the East Indies, 2 vols. 8vo. 1744.
723. Grose's Travels to the East Indies, 1772. 2 vols. 8vo.
724. Zend Avesta. Par Anquetil du Perrin. Paris, 1771. 3 vols. 4to.--M.
Anquetil has prefixed to his translation of this supposed work of
Zoroaster, an account of his travels in the East Indies, in which there is
much valuable information, especially on antiquarian subjects. The Germans
have translated and published separately, this part of M. Anquetil's work.
725. Voyages dans les Mers de l'Inde. Par M. Legentil, 1781. 5 vols.
8vo.--M. Legentil's object was to observe the transit of Venus, in 1761 and
1769. His work, besides entering into the subject of Indian astronomy,
gives many important details on antiquities and natural history.
726. Description Historique et Geographique de l'Inde. Par J.
Tieffenthaler. Recherches Historiques et Geographiques sur l'Inde. Par
Anquetil du Perrin. Publiées par J. Bernouilli. Berlin, 1785. 3 vols.
4to.--The most curious and original portion of this work is that which
relates to the Seiks, by the missionary Tieffenthaler.
727. Forrest's Voyage from Calcutta to the Menguy Archipelago, 1792. 2
vols. 4to.--This work is justly of great authority, for its details in
maritime geography,
728. Stavorinus's Voyages to the East Indies, comprising an account of all
the possessions of the Dutch in India, and at the Cape of Good Hope, 3
vols. 8vo. 1798.
729. Fra. Paolino's Voyage to the East Indies. With notes by J. Reinold
Forster. 8vo. 1800.--A translation of this valuable work, which originally
appeared in Italian, was published in Paris, in 1805, by Anquetil du
Perrin, in 3 Vols. 8vo. There are few works which throw more light than
this does, on the religious antiquities of India.
730. Rennel's Memoir of a Map of Indostan. 2 Vols. 4to. 1793.--For
geographical research, this work justly bears the highest character.
Particular parts of the East Indies are specially described in the
following works:
731. Nouvelle Relation d'un Voyage fait aux Indes Orientales. Par M.
Dellen. Amsterd. 1699. 12mo.---Malabar, Calecut, and Goa, are particularly
noticed by this author, who, being a medical man, is full and instructive
on the poisonous animals, and the diseases.
732. Voyage de Francois Bernier, contenant la Description des Etats du
Grand Mogul. Amsterd. 1725. 2 Vols. 12mo.--This author was also a medical
man, and from that circumstance obtained favour from the Mogul, and an
opportunity of visiting parts of Asia, at that time little known,
particularly Cachemere, of which he gives a full and interesting
description.
733. Voyage aux Indes Orientales, 1802-6, revu et augmenté de notes. Par
Sonnini. 2 Vols. 8vo. Paris, 1810.--The notes by Sonnini sufficiently point
out the nature and character of this work.
734. Voyage dans la Peninsule Occidentale de l'Inde, et dans l'Isle de
Ceylon. 2 Vols. 8vo. Paris, 1811.--This work is translated from the Dutch
of Haafner; and as latterly few, except the English, have published
accounts of India, it is for this reason interesting.
735. A Journey from Madras, through Mysore, Canara, and Malabar. By F.
Buchanan. 1811, 4to.--Much information, not well arranged or agreeably
communicated, on the most valuable productions of these districts, on their
climate, manufactures, and the manners, religion, &c. of their inhabitants.
736. Heyne's Tracts, historical and statistical, on India; with Journals of
several Tours: and an account of Sumatra. 1814, 4to. A work not so well
known, as from its information, particularly statistical, it deserves to
be.
737. Forbes's Oriental Memoirs. 1813, 4 Vols. 4to.--It is to be regretted
that this very splendid and expensive work was not published in a cheaper
form, as it abounds in most striking pictures of the manners, customs, &c.
of India.
738. Major Symes's Account of an Embassy to the Kingdom of Ava, in 1795.
4to 1800--Little was known in Europe respecting Pegu and Ava before the
travels of Hunter, and Loset and Erkelskrom were published; these travels,
translated respectively from the English and German, were published
together in Paris, in 1793. From these, and Major Symes's works, much may
be gathered respecting the manners, religion, and government of the
inhabitants of this part of Asia; but unfortunately, these travellers do
not instruct us on the topics of natural history. We are indebted for most
that we know respecting Siam, to a notion that was put into Louis XIV.'s
mind, that the King of Siam was desirous of becoming a convert to
Christianity. Under this idea, Louis sent an embassy and missionaries, from
whom proceeded the following works: in which, allowing for a little
exaggeration, in order to flatter the vanity of the French monarch, there
is a deal of curious and valuable information of all kinds.
739. Premier Voyage de Siam des P.P. Jésuites. Redigé par Tachard.--Second
Voyage du P. Tachard, Paris, 1686-89. 2 Vols. 12mo.
740. Histoire Naturelle et Civile de Siam. Par Gervaise. Paris, 1688, 4to.
741. Description du Royaume de Siam. Par M. de la Loubere, Envoyé
Extraordinaire du Roi auprès du Roi de Siam. Amsterd. 1714. 2 Vols. 12mo.
742. Barrow's Voyage to Cochin China, 1792-93. 4to. 1806. This is perhaps
the most valuable of Mr. Barrow's works, as it relates to a country not
previously known, except by the accounts of the missionaries, and which has
been scarcely visited since Mr. Barrow's time.
743. Relation Nouvelle et Curieuse du Royaume de Tonquin, et de Laos.
Traduite de l'Italien du P. de Marini. Paris, 1666, 4to. This work is full
of a variety of topics connected with the civil, political, military,
agricultural, and commercial state of Tonquin; nor is it deficient in what
relates to the natural history, and the manners, religion, &c. of the
inhabitants,
744. Histoire Naturelle et Civile du Tonquin. Par l'Abbé Richard. Paris,
1788. 2 Vols. 12mo.--The first volume of this work, which describes Tonquin
and its inhabitants, is drawn from the accounts of the missionary St.
Phalte, and from other sources, with considerable neatness and judgment;
the second volume is confined to a history of the missions thither.
745. Exposé Statistique du Tunkin. London, 2 Vols. 8vo. 1811. This work is
drawn up from the papers of M. de la Bessachere, who resided 18 years in
Tunkin; and it is rich in new and curious information on the physical
properties of the country, and the national character.
746. Letters on the Nicobar Islands. By the Rev C.G. Haensel, Missionary of
the United Brethren. 1812. 8vo.--This short account is written with great
simplicity and appearance of truth, and conveys much information on the
inhabitants, as well as the soil, climate, &c. of these islands.
747. A Description of Prince of Wales Island. By Sir Home Popham. 1806,
8vo.
748. Sir George Leith's Account of the Settlement, Produce, and Commerce of
Prince of Wales Island. 8vo. 1805.
INDIAN ISLANDS.
749. Historical Relation of Ceylon. By Robert Knox. 1681. folio.--This
work, though published so long ago, and by one who was a prisoner, still
retains its character, as the fullest and most interesting account of the
inhabitants of Ceylon in the English language. The voluminous work of
Valyntyn, in Dutch, which we have already noticed, may be advantageously
consulted on this island, as well as on all parts of India formerly
possessed by the Dutch.
750. John C. Wolfe's Life and Adventures in Ceylon. 1785. 8vo.--This work,
translated from the Dutch, amidst much that is merely personal, contains
some curious notices on Ceylon and its inhabitants. To the English
translation is appended an account by Erkelskrom, which is valuable, as
describing the island at the period when it passed from the Dutch to the
English.
751. Davy's Account of the Interior of Ceylon. 1821, 4to.--This is an
excellent work, though like many other works of excellence, too bulky; its
chief and peculiar merit and recommendation consist in its details on the
natural history of Ceylon.
752. Marsden's History of Sumatra. 1783. 4to.--This is a most excellent
work in the plan and execution, embracing almost every topic connected with
the island and its inhabitants.
753. Voyage to the Isle of Borneo. By Capt. Beckman. 1718, 8vo.--Of this
large island, so little known, this volume, and an article inserted in the
Transactions of the Batavian Society of Java, gives us many interesting
particulars; there are also some notices of it in Forrest's Voyage.
754. The Narrative of Captain Woodward, with a Description of the Island of
Celebes. 1804, 8vo.--Woodward was an American captain who was taken
prisoner by the Malays of Celebes: this work is the result of his
observations and experience during his captivity; but it is confined to the
western division of the isle: of this, however, it gives many particulars,
respecting the produce, animals, inhabitants, &c. Stavorinus's works may
also be consulted regarding Celebes.
755. Crawfurd's History of the Indian Archipelago. 1820. 3 vols. 8vo.--This
is a valuable work, particularly in what relates to the actual commerce and
commercial capabilities of these islands: it also treats of the manners,
religion, language, &c. of the inhabitants; but on some of these points not
with the soundest judgment, or the most accurate information.
756. Raffles's History of Java. 1817. 2 vols. 4to.--Had this work been
compressed into a smaller compass, by a judicious abridgment of the
historical part, its value as well as interest would have been enhanced;
these, however, are not small, as it gives by far the fullest and most
accurate account of Java, and its inhabitants, that has appeared; and as
the author, from his residence and high official situation, possessed every
advantage, its accuracy may be depended on. When the natural history
illustrations of Java, by Mr. Horsfield, are completed, they will, in
conjunction with this work, and the Transactions of the Batavian Society,
leave nothing to be desired on the subject of this part of Asia.
757. E. Koempfer's Geschichte und Beschriebung von Japan. Lemgo, 1777-79. 2
vols. 4to.--This edition of Koempfer's celebrated work on Japan contains
several things which are not to be found in the English translation.
758. Histoire du Japan. Par Charlevoix. Paris, 1754, 6 vols. 12mo.--This
is the best edition of Charlevoix's work, many parts of which, especially
what relates to natural history, are drawn from Koempfer. Charlevoix has
added important details on the administration of justice in Japan, and on
the moral character of the Japanese; but the bulk of the work is swelled by
tiresome ecclesiastical details.
759. Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa. By Thunberg. 1794, 4 vols.
8vo.--This work relates principally to Japan; and it may justly be
remarked, that few parts of the world have met with sucn admirable
describers as Japan has done, in Koempfer and Thunberg. Certainly the
natural history of no part, so rich in this respect, has been so fully and
scientifically investigated. A French translation of this work was
published in Paris in 1796, in 2 vols. 4to. enriched by the notes of
Langles and La Marck.
760. Golownin's Narrative of his Captivity in Japan, 1811-13. 2 vols.
8vo.--Japan is a country so little accessible, that every work on it is
acceptable. This work does not add very much to what Koempfer and Thunberg
have told, but perhaps quite as much as the author, under his
circumstances, could collect or observe. The same remarks apply to his
Recollections of Japan. 1 vol. 8vo.
The history of the missions in the East Indies, Japan, and China, which
were published in the Italian, Spanish, German, and French languages,
towards the end of the sixteenth, and the beginning of the seventeenth
century, is interspersed with some curious and valuable information
regarding these countries; the titles and character of the principal of
these may be found in the Bibliothèque, vol. 5. p. 264, 272, &c.
761. Voyage to China and the East Indies, by Rel. Osbeck; with a Voyage to
Surat, by Torreens; and an Account of the Chinese Husbandry, by Ekelberg.
Translated from the German by J.R. Forster. To which is added a Fauna et
Flora Sinensis. 1777, 2 vols. 8vo.--Travels, embracing scientific natural
history, by competent persons, are so rare and valuable, that the titles of
such should not be omitted: the nature of this work is sufficiently
indicated by the title, and its merit by its having been translated by
Forster.
762. Sonnerat, Voyage aux Indes Orientals et à la Chiné, 1774. 1781. Paris,
1806. 4 vols. 8vo.--This work is particularly full and minute on the
theography of the Hindoos: besides the East Indies and China, it embraces
Pegu, the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, Malacca, &c. A translation of part of
it into English was printed at Calcutta.
763. Nouvelles Mémoires sur l'État present de la Chine. Par Le Comte.
Paris, 1701, 3 vols. 12mo--The best account of China previous to Duhalde's
work, though in many particulars extremely partial to the Chinese.
764. Mémoires concernant l'Histoire, les Sciences, et les Arts des Chinois.
Par les Missionaires de Pekin. Paris, 1775, &c. 15 vols. 4to.--In this
voluminous work is contained a wonderful deal of information on China; the
continuation of the work was put a stop to by the French Revolution: it is
by far the best the Jesuits have produced on China; and if there are
materials for perfecting it, they ought to be given to the public.
765. Description Geographique, Historique, Chronologique, Politique, et
Physique de la Chiné et de Tartarie Chinoise. Par Duhalde. Le Hague, 1736,
4 vols. 4to.--Of this work there is an English translation. Duhalde has
drawn his materials from a variety of sources, especially from the printed
and manuscript accounts of the missionaries; but he has failed to exercise
a sound judgment, and a scrupulous examination into the truth of many facts
and opinions which he has admitted into his work.
But though the public are certainly much indebted to the missionaries
for the information they have given respecting this singular country,
yet there are obvious circumstances which rendered their accounts
suspicious in some points, and defective in others, so that the
publication of the accounts of the Dutch and British Embassies added
much to our stock of accurate knowledge regarding China. The following
is the title of the French translation of part of the Dutch Embassy:
766. Voyage de la Campagne des Indes Orientales vers l'Empire de la Chiné,
1794-5. Tiré du Journal de Van Braam. Philadelphe. 1797, 4to.--There is
also an English translation.
767. Sir George Staunton's Account of the Embassy of the Earl of Macartney
to China. 2 vols. 4to. 1797.
768. John Barrow's Travels to China. 4to. 1804.
These works, especially the latter, together with Lord Macartney's own
journal in the second volume of his life, contain a deal of information,
considering the jealousy of the Chinese; some additions, corrections,
and different views of the same circumstances, as well as a further
insight into the manners of the Chinese, as indicated by their conduct,
will be found in the two following works which relate to the Embassy of
Lord Amherst. The first is by the naturalist to the Embassy.
769. Abel's Narrative of a Journey in the Interior of China. 1816-17. 4to.
770. Ellis's Journal of the Proceedings of the late Embassy to China. 4to.
771. Relation du Naufrage sur la Côte de l'Isle de Quælpeart, avec la
Description de Coree. Paris, 1670, 12mo.--This work, translated from the
Dutch, besides the interest which personal adventures in a foreign country,
and under unusual circumstances, always inspires, gives much information
regarding the manners of the inhabitants, and the ceremonies, &c. of the
court of Corea,--a part of Asia very little known.
772. Captain Hall's Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the
Great Loo-choo Island. 4to.--A work not less valuable for its maritime
geography and science, than for the pleasing interest which it excites on
behalf of the natives of Loo-choo, and the favourable impression it leaves
of Captain Hall, his officers and seamen.
TARTARY, &C.
773. Noord-Oost Tartarie. Par Nic. Witsen. Amsterd. 1705, 2 vols.
folio.--Forster, an excellent and seldom too favourable a judge, speaks
highly of this work.
774. Nomadische Streifereisen unter den Kalmuken. Von B. Borgman. Riga,
1805-6, 4 vols. 8vo.--The author of this work resided some time with the
Kalmucks, at the command of the Emperor of Russia; and he seems to have
employed his time well, in gaining information respecting the past and
present state of their country, and their manners, intellectual, moral, and
religious state.
THIBET, &C.
775. Antonio de Andrada novo Descubrimento de Grao Catayo ou dos Regnos de
Tibet. Lisbon, 1626, 4to.--This work has been translated into French,
Italian, Flemish, and Spanish; it contains the narrative of the first
passage of the Himalaya Mountains. (_See Quarterly Review, No. 48. page
337, &c._)
776. Turner's Account of an Embassy to the Court of the Teesho Lama, in
Thibet. 1800, 4to.--This work is full of information and interest: it
relates to the soil, climate, and produce of Thibet; the moral character,
and especially the singular religion of the inhabitants, and their
institutions, manufactures, disorders, &c.
777. Kirkpatrick's Account of Nepaul in 1793. 4to.--This is one of the best
accessions to our information respecting this part of Asia which has been
produced by our establishments in India.
778. Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul. By Francis Hamilton, (formerly
Buchanan). 1819, 4to.--The same character applies to this as to the other
work by the same author.
779. Fraser's Journal of a Tour through part of the Snowy Ridge of the
Himalaya Mountains. 1820. 4to.--Notwithstanding Mr. Fraser's ignorance of
natural history, in a country quite new, and full of most interesting
objects in this science, and that he had no means of measuring heights, or
ascertaining the temperature or pressure of the air; and notwithstanding a
want of method, and a heaviness and prolixity in the style, this book
possesses great interest, from the scenes of nature and pictures of manners
which it exhibits.
780. Elphinstone's Account of Caubul and its Dependencies. 1815. 4to.--The
interest and value of this work arises more from the subject of it, than
from the manner in which it is executed; respecting such countries,
however, as Caubul, and others as little known and remote, we are glad of
all accessions of information.
ASIATIC RUSSIA.
781. Reisen durch Siberien, 1733-1743. Von J.G. Gmelin. Gott. 4 vols.
8vo.--This work is worthy of the name which it bears: it is full and
particular on the physical and moral geography of Siberia, but especially
on its mines and iron foundries.
782. Voyage en Siberie, 1761. Par Chappe d'Auteroche. Paris, 1768. 3 vols.
4-to.--This work gave rise to a severe attack on it, under the title of
Antidote. D'Auteroche's object on his travels was principally scientific,
but he has entered fully into the character of the inhabitants, and
especially those of the capital, and into the character, and intellectual
and moral state of the Russians in general.
783. Relation d'un Voyage aux Monts d'Altai en Siberie, 1781. Par Patrin.
Peters. 1785, 8vo.--Mineralogical.
784. Recherches Historiques sur les Principales Nations Établies en
Siberie. Paris, 1801. 8vo.--This work, translated from the Russian of
Fischer, displays a great deal of research, and is not unworthy of an
author who imitated Pallas, Gmelin, Müller, &c.
785. Recherches sur les Principales Nations en Siberie. Traduit du Russe de
Stollenweck. 8vo.
786. Description de Kamschatcha. Par Krascheninnikof. Amsterd. 1770. 2
vols. 8vo.--The soil, climate, productions, minerals, furs, habitations,
manners, employments, religious ceremonies and opinions, &c., and even the
dialect spoken in different parts, are here treated of.
787. Journal Historique du Voyage de M. Lesseps. Paris, 1790. 2 vols.
8vo.--Lesseps sailed with Le Peyrouse, but left him in Kamschatcha, and
travelled by land to France with despatches from him; his narrative gives a
lively picture of the inhabitants of the northern parts of Asiatic and
European Russia. The work has been translated into English; there is also a
German translation by Forster.
788. Sauer's Account of Billing's Geographical and Astronomical Expedition
to the Northern Parts of Russia, 1785-94. 4to.--An account of this
expedition was also published in Russian by Captain Saretschewya, one of
the officers engaged in it. Parts of the continent, and islands and seas
little known, are described in these two works, but they are deficient in
natural history.
789. Holderness's Notes relating to the Manners and Customs of the Crim
Tartars. 1823. 8vo.--Mrs. Holderness resided four years in the Crimea, and
she seems to have employed her time well, having produced an instructive
book on the manners, domestic life, &c., not only of the Crim Tartars, but
likewise of the various colonists of the Crimea.
IX. AMERICA.
Those works which relate to the discovery of America, derive their
interest rather from their historical nature than from the insight they
give into the physical and moral state of this portion of the globe. In
one important particular; America differs from all the other quarters of
the world, very early travels in Asia or Africa unfold to us particulars
respecting races of people that still exist, and thus enable us to
compare their former with their present state, whereas nearly all the
original inhabitants of America have disappeared.
Referring therefore our readers to the historians of the discovery and
conquest of America, and to the Bibliothèque des Voyages, for the titles
and nature of those works which detail the voyages of Columbus,
Vespucius, &c., we shall confine ourselves chiefly to such works as
enter more fully into a description of the country and its colonized
inhabitants.
790. Journal des Observations Physiques, Mathematiques, et Botaniques,
faites par le P. Feuillée, sur les Côtes de l'Amerique Méridionale et dans
les Indes Occidentales. Paris, 1714. 2 vols. 4to.
791. Suite du Journal. Paris, 1715. 4to.--Excellent works on the subjects
indicated in the title.
792. Notizias Americanas sobre las America Meridionel y la Septentrionel-
Oriental. Par Don Ant. de Ulloa. Madrid, 1772. 4to.--This work, which must
not be confounded with the conjoint work of Ulloa and Juan, is rich in
valuable matter, physical, political, and moral; it was translated into
German by M. Diez, Professor of Natural History at Gottingen, who has added
learned and judicious observations.
793 Voyages intéressans dans differentes Colonies Françaises, Espagnoles,
Anglaise. Paris, 1788. 8vo.--The most original and interesting portions of
this work relate to Porto Rico, Curaçoa, Granada, the Bermudas, &c.; there
are also valuable remarks on the climate and diseases of St. Domingo.
794. Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama
Islands. 1734-43. 2 vols. folio.
795. Appendix to ditto. 1748. folio.--The celebrated naturalist, George
Edwards, published an edition of this splendid work, with the appendix, in
Latin and French, in 2 vols. folio. 1764-71.
796. Peter Kalm's Travels in North America, translated by R. Forster. 1772.
2 vols. 8vo.--Chiefly geological and mineralogical; in other respects not
interesting.
797. Adair's History of the American Indians. 1775. 4to.--The speculations
of this writer are abundantly absurd; but there are interspersed some
curious notices of the Indians, collected by the author, while he resided
and traded with them.
798. Travels through Carolina, Georgia, Florida, &c. By W. Bertram. 1792. 2
vols. 8vo.--A most interesting work to lovers of natural history,
especially botany, a study to which Bertram was enthusiastically attached.
There is an account of Mr. Bertram in the American Farmer's Letters.
799. An Account of the Countries adjoining to Hudson's Bay. By Ar. Dobbs.
1744. 12mo.
800. The State of Hudson's Bay. By Ed. Humphraville. 1790. 8vo.
801. Account of Prince of Wales Island, in the Gulph of St. Lawrence. By J.
Stewart. 1808. 8vo.--A good deal of information on the soil, agriculture,
productions, climate, &c.: the zoology imperfect.
802. Hall's Travels in Canada and the United States, 1816-17. 8vo.
802. Howison's Sketches of Upper Canada. 8vo. 1821.
Hall's is a pleasant and lively work, unfolding many of the
peculiarities of the manners, customs, &c., of Canada and the adjacent
parts of the United States. Howison's is the work of an abler man: it is
rich in valuable information to emigrants; and is, moreover, highly
descriptive of scenery and manners. The part relative to the United
States is superficial.
804. Collection des Plusieures Relations du Canada, 1632-1672. 43 vols.
12mo.
805. Charlevoix's Travels in North America, translated from the French.
1772. 2 Vols. 4to.--The physical and moral state of the inhabitants are the
principal objects of this work.
806. Carver's Travels through the Interior Parts of North America, 1766-68.
8vo.--There is much information in this work respecting that part of
America, which has lately attracted so much attention from its vicinity to
the supposed north-west passage; it is in all other respects, except
natural history, an interesting and instructive work.
807. Long's Voyage and Travels of an Indian Interpreter. 1774. 3 vols. 4to.
Volney characterizes this work as exhibiting a most faithful picture of the
life and manners of the Indians and Canadian traders.
808. Weld's Travels through North America, 1795-7. 2 vols. 8vo.--Travels in
the United States derive their interest and value from a variety of
sources: the inhabitants of these states under their government, and the
peculiar circumstances in which they are placed, must be a subject of deep
attention and study to the moralist, the philosopher, the politician, and
the political economist, while the country itself presents to the
naturalist many and various sources of information and acquisitions to his
knowledge. The travels of Mr. Weld, and most of those which we shall have
to enumerate, were undertaken for the purpose of ascertaining what
advantages and disadvantages an emigrant would derive from exchanging
Europe for America. Thus led to travel from the principal motive of
self-interest, it might be imagined that these travellers would examine
every thing carefully, fully, most minutely, and impartially: in all modes
except the last, it has certainly been done by several travellers; but
great caution must be used in reading all travels in the United States,
because the picture drawn of them is too often overcharged, either with
good or evil. Mr, Weld's is a respectable work; and like all travels, even
a few years back, in a country so rapidly changing and improving, from this
cause as well as its information on statistics, toil, climate, morals,
manners, &c. may be consulted with advantage. It is to be regretted that
he, as well as most other travellers in America, was not better prepared
with a scientific knowledge of natural history. Canada, as well as the
United States, is comprized in Mr. Weld's travels.
809. Mellish's Travels through the United States of America, 1816-17. 2
vols. 8vo.--This is perhaps as impartial and judicious an account of the
United States as any that has lately appeared.
810. Lettres d'un Cultivateur Americain, 1770-86. Par M. St. John de
Crevecoeur. Paris, 1787. 3 vols. 8vo.--We give the French edition of this
work in preference to the English, because it is much fuller. This work of
a Frenchman, long settled in the Anglo-American colonies, gives, in an
animated and pleasing manner, much information on the manners of America at
this period, the habits and occupations of the new settlers, and on the
subject of natural history.
811. Voyages dans les États Unis, 1784. Par J.F.D. Smith. Paris, 1791. 2
vols. 8vo.--Virginia, Maryland, the two Carolinas, and Louisiana, parts
of North America, not so often visited by travellers as the northern
states, are here described with considerable talent, and in a pleasing
style. We are not acquainted with the English work, of which this professes
to be a translation.
812. Nouveau Voyage dans les États Unis, 1788. Par Brissot. Paris, 3 vols.
8vo.--Statistics, religion, manners, political economy, agriculture,
commerce, manufactures, the arts and sciences, are here treated of in a
sensible, but rather an uninteresting manner.
813. La Rochefoucault's Travels to the United States of America, 1799. 2
vols. 4to.--Agriculture, statistics, manufactures, commerce, national and
domestic habits, form the chief topic of these volumes, which, allowing for
some prejudices, present a fair picture of America at this period.
814. Tableau du Climat et du Sol des États Unis. Par C.F. Volney. 1803. 2
vols. 8vo.--Though physical geography and statistics form the principal
portion of this valuable work, yet it is by no means uninstructive on the
subject of national and domestic character; and it enters fully into the
condition of savage life.
Particular histories and descriptions have been published of several of
the United States; we shall merely notice such as are the result of
personal observation, and as give interesting and instructive
information respecting their past or present state.
815. Belknap's History of New Hampshire, 1792. Boston, 3 vols. 8vo.--The
two first volumes are historical, but many things in them are instructive
to those who wish to trace the formation of character: the third volume
relates to climate, soil, produce,&c.
816. The History of Virginia, by a Native and Inhabitant of the place. R.B.
Beverley. 1722. 8vo.--The first part is purely historical; in the second,
the author gives an account of the productions of the country; the third
relates to the manners, &c. of the Indians; the fourth is political. There
are, besides, many pertinent remarks on the physical geography of Virginia,
and on its climate and diseases.
817. Notes on Virginia. By Thos. Jefferson. 1788. 8vo.--Politics, commerce,
manufactures, and navigation, are here treated of in a satisfactory and
instructive manner, but with rather too much the air of philosophy.
818. Michaux's Travels to the West of the Alleghany Mountains. 1805.
8vo.--These travels are instructive regarding the manners, commerce, soil,
climate, and especially botany.
819. Lewis and Clarke's Travels up the Missouri to the Pacific Ocean,
1804-6. 4to.
820. Pike's Exploratory Travels through the Western Territory of North
America. 4to.
821. James's Account of an Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, 1819-20. 3
vols. 8vo.
822. Schoolcraft's Travels to the Sources of the Mississippi. 1820. 8vo.
823. Nuttall's Travels into the Arkansa Territory. 1819. 8vo.--These
travels describe a vast portion of America to the west of the Alleghany
Mountains, especially the valley of the Mississippi, and its tributary
streams. They are rather prolix and heavily written. Mr. James's work is
richest in natural history.
824. A Concise Natural History of East and West Florida. By Bernard Romans.
New York, 1766. 12mo.--The climate, productions, and diseases of Florida
are here treated of by this author, who was a medical man, and had good
opportunities of observation and experience.
825. Description de la Louisiane. Par L.P. Hennepin, Paris, 1688.
12mo.--This author first made Europe acquainted with Louisiana; but his
work is meagre on every topic, except the manners, &c. of the natives.
826. Histoire de la Louisiane. Par M. Le Page du Prats. Paris, 1758. 3
vols. 12mo.--During a residence of 15 years, this author seems to have paid
particular attention to geology, mineralogy, and other branches of natural
history, and has given the results of his observations in these volumes.
827. Travels through that part of North America called Louisiana.
Translated and illustrated with notes by R.B. Forster. 1771-2. 2 vols.
8vo.--The author of this work was a M. Bossu; who also published, a few
years afterwards, Nouveaux Voyages dans l'Amerique Septentrionale.
Amsterdam. 8vo.--The first of these works is chiefly interesting from the
minute details into which it enters respecting the Illinois territory. Mr.
Forster's translation contains a catalogue of American plants.
828. Voyage en Californie. Par l'Abbé Chappe D'Auteroche. Paris, 1778.
4to.--The city of Mexico, as well as California, is here described in an
interesting manner. As concerns the latter, this work may be regarded as a
standard one.
829. The History of Mexico; to which are added, Dissertations on the Land,
Animals, &c. Translated from the Italian of Clavigero, by C. Cullen. 1787.
2 vols. 4to.--Besides natural history, there is in this work much learned
research on the ancient history of Mexico.
THE WEST INDIES.
830. Histoire Generale des Antilles. Par le P. Dututie. 1667-1671. 4 vols.
4to.--This work is very full in all the branches of natural history, and
is by no means uninstructive on intellectual and moral geography.
831. Voyages aux Antilles, &c., 1767-1802. Par J.B. Le Blond. Paris, 1813.
8vo.--Statistics, climate, geology, mineralogy, diseases, and manners,
are the principal topics of this work, and are treated of with ability and
interest.
832. Voyages aux Isles de Trinidad, &c. Par J.J.D. Laraysee. Paris, 1813. 2
vols. 8vo.--The first volume relates to Trinidad: the second to Tobago,
Cumana, Guiana, and Margarita. The soil, climate, productions, and
occasionally the natural history and geology of these parts are here
treated of.
833. Baudin Voyage aux Isles Teneriffe la Trinite, Porto Rico, &c. 2 vols.
8vo. Paris, 1810.--To these travels Sonnini has added some valuable
notes.
834. Voyage d'un Suisse dans differentes Colonies de l'Amerique. 1783.
8vo.--Martinique and St. Domingo are particularly described, and the
mineralogy of the latter fully entered into.
835. Bryan Edwards' History of the British Colonies in the West Indies, and
the French Colony in St. Domingo. 1801. 3 vols. 8vo.--This work justly
bears an excellent character, and is very full and minute on almost every
topic connected with these islands.
836. Histoire de St. Domingue. Par le P. Charlevoix. Paris, 1722. 2 vols.
4to.--This work, drawn up chiefly from the memoirs of the missionaries,
treats of the political, military, and moral state of the island, and more
briefly of its produce, animals, &c.--This briefness is compensated in the
following work:
837. Essai sur I'Histoire Naturelle de St. Domingue. Par le P. Nicolson.
Paris, 1766. 8vo.
838. Ed. Long's History of Jamaica. 3 vols. 4to. 1774.--A work of
sterling merit, and if read in conjunction with the following to supply the
natural history of the island, will leave little to be known respecting
this important island.
839. Pat. Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica. 1756. folio.
840. Ligon's History of Barbadoes. 1695. 8vo.
841. Labat Voyage aux Isles de l'Amerique. La Haye, 1724. 6 vols.
12mo.--This is esteemed the best work of Labat, and it certainly is very
instructive in all that relates to Martinique, Guadaloupe, St. Vincent, St.
Thomas, St. Lucia, St. Eustatius, &c.
842. Voyage à la Martinique. Par Chauvalson. Paris, 1763. 4to.--Natural
history, meteorology, agriculture, and manners.
843. Account of St. Michael, one of the Azores. By Dr. Webster.--This work,
which is published in America, contains an interesting description of St.
Michael, particularly in what relates to its natural history and geology.
SOUTH AMERICA.
844. Preliminar al Tomo primero de las Memorias Historico-Physicas,
Critico-Apologeticas, de la America Meridional. Par D.J.E. Lamo Zaputa.
Cadiz, 1759. 8vo.
845. Reise eineger Missionarien in Sud America. Von C. Gott. Von Murr.
Nurem. 1785. 8vo.
846. Depon's Travels in South America, 1801-4. 2 vols. 8vo.--The Caraccas,
Venezuela, Guyana, Cumana, are the principal objects of this work; the
rural economy, the political and commercial situation of these parts at
this period, and the manners of the Spanish Americans are here treated of
in a superior manner.
847. Nouvelle Description de la France Equinoctiale. Par Pierre Barrere.
Paris, 1743. 12mo.
848. Essai sur l'Histoire Naturelle de la France Equinoctiale. Par P.
Barrere. Paris, 1749. 2 vols. 8vo.--The former of these works is chiefly
confined to a description of the natives, their weapons, manners, mode of
life, &c.: the latter work is full on the natural history of Guyana.
849. Bancroft's Essay on the Natural History of Guyana. 1769. 8vo.--Besides
natural history, this work may be consulted with advantage on the manners,
&c. of the natives.
850. Stedman's Narrative of a Five-Years' Expedition against the Revolted
Negroes of Surinam, 1772-7. 2 vols. 4to.--There is an air of romance in
several parts of this work, which, though it adds to its interest, raises
suspicions of its accuracy and faithfulness, and that it has been in the
hands of a trading editor; still it is a work from which a lively picture
may be obtained of Surinam and its inhabitants.
851. Tableau de Cayenne. Paris, 1793. 8vo.--Climate, produce, mode of
culture, manners and nautical observations form the principal topics of
this work.