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Gift of Barkeley

Public

Library

LONDON:

PRINTED BY J. MOYES, GREVILLE STREET.

IN completing the First Volume of the MODERN THAVELLER, the Editor feels bound to acknowledge the very flattering reception which has thus far been given to the Work. He ventures to infer, from the general approbation the specimen has met with, that the promise held out in the Prospectus has not been broken; and he pledges himself that no pains shall be spared to render the future Numbers equally deserving of the public attention.

In giving a description of PALESTINE, it has been thought necessary to go far more minutely into topographical details than will be either requisite or desirable in the case of other countries. Every acre of the Holy Land is connected with associations interesting to the antiquary, the biblical critic, and the Christian reader.

The chief difficulty which has attended the compilation of this volume, has arisen from the variety and copiousness of the materials. Yet, after all, there is ample scope for the investigation of future travellers: and it is hoped that this Volume will form a Vade-mecum, that may facilitate and direct their inquiries.

Maundrell and Pococke still deserve to stand at the head of those travellers who have visited and described the Holy Land. The former is, perhaps, the most correct, and one of the most intelligent of all travellers; and all that is to be regretted is, the brevity of his work. The latter is indefatigably minute and laboriously learned, generally accurate, but often fanciful, and, of course, sometimes mistaken. Of preceding travellers, Sandys alone has been found worth consulting; but his credulity is a drawback on the value of his testimony. Hasselquist and Van Egmont and Heyman have been found 580914

of considerable use in reference to points overlooked by their predecessors. Shaw has also been consulted.

Of our recent travellers, Dr. Richardson has been found the most minute and faithful. He comes next to Maundrell in accuracy; and the favourable opportunities afforded him by his professional character, have enabled him to throw more light on the interior state and topography of Jerusalem, than any of his predecessors.* Ali Bey (Badhia) has supplied a few interesting details, but his inaccuracy renders him an unsafe guide. Chateaubriand has been found more correct than was anticipated, but his assistance has been confined to Jerusalem. Dr. Clarke has supplied by his learning some interesting illustrations; but his account of Palestine is, perhaps, the least valuable portion of his Travels. To Mr. Buckingham's Travels, the Editor must acknowledge himself indebted for considerable assistance. He has gleaned some valuable information also from the Letters of Mr. Jolliffe, the Notes of Mr. Connor, given in Mr. Jowett's Christian Researches, the Travels of Sir Frederick Henniker, of Captain Light, and of Major Mackworth.

To Burckhardt, and Burckhardt's learned Editor, sacred geography is indebted for much valuable illustration, of which the Editor has not neglected to avail himself. A similar acknowledgement is due to those indefatigable travellers, Captains the Honourable L. J. Irby and James Mangles. The ardent zeal which these gentlemen have displayed for the prosecution of geographical science, warrants the assurance which the Editor feels, that no apology will be required for the use that has been made, or that may be made, of their unpublished volume.

See, in particular, his account of the Mosque of Omar, (pp. 93– 117,) which the Dr. had the singular good fortune to be four times permitted to visit; a favour never before extended to a Frank.

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