OR, A VIEW OF THE WORLD. Ellustrated with numerous Engravings, by eminent Artists. VOL. I. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM MARK CLARK, 19, WARWICK LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW, AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1838. 250. a.297. PREFACE. HAVING brought our first year's labours to a conclusion, we are now enabled to present a volume of the TALES OF TRAVELLERS to the notice of the public; and, at the same time, we are led to express a hope, that a work which, while coming out in numbers, has been favoured with so much support and encouragement, will not be considered unworthy of acceptance and approval, in its collected form. To diffuse among the community, in a popular shape, and at a cheap rate, information chiefly on subjects relating to foreign countries, their manners and customs, with characteristic and descriptive sketches, was the object of this publication. The variety of the contents will ensure its being found interesting, which we have constantly endeavoured to make it; and we have no fear that it will be found also instructive. The amount of incident and adventure which it contains, although it may be scattered unconnectedly through its pages, cannot fail of rendering it a book of agreeable reading; and we now offer it, with the expression of our grateful thanks for the success which has attended its career. In the department of travel, GREAT BRITAIN can boast of as proud names as can be found in the annals of any other nation in the world. In enterprise, perseverance, and power of endurance, the natives of her soil have no superiors, and few equals. We cannot, it is true, lay claim to the fame of a Columbus, nor have we to mourn the loss of a La Perouse; but where is there such a list of travellers, as Britain can produce-Cook, Bruce, Park, Clapperton, Lander, Denham, Burnes, and a host of others, whose names are "familiar as household words?" Under the auspices of British encouragement, the progress of discovery con tinues to be prosecuted, and to it commerce and civilization owe much of their advantages. There is a strong desire in the human mind to obtain information on matters relating to other countries, and to peruse accounts of customs and observations to us unusual. The more one knows of foreign scenes and manners, the more he secks to know, and is induced to inquire. In the following pages, we have endeavoured to minister to that laudable thirst for knowledge which "grows with what it feeds on ;" and yet farther to excite that commendable curiosity, which, having a useful aim, is worthy of being cherished, not repressed. From various publications, and from works not generally accessible, we have carefully selected passages of an entertaining, or of an instructive kind; and given narratives, adventures, and anecdotes, calculated to illustrate the customs and habits of the inhabitants of different portions of the globe. Each number is embellished with a graphic wood engraving ; and we do not use mere words of course, when we say that neither expense nor exertion has been spared, to add to the value of the contents. On the whole, therefore, we submit the volume to public approval, with greater confidence, as we have been careful to render the work attractive to all classes of readers; and, in accordance with our prospectus, to combine information with entertainment throughout. 3, Edward-street, Hampstead-road Dec. 1837. |