(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 Bibliotheque
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 siecles, par
Benjamin de Tudela, Carpin, Ancilin, Rubruquis, Marco Polo, Haiton,
Mandeville, et Contarini; publies par P. Bergerin, avec des Cartes
Geographiques. 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, Memoires 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 celebres 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'Ocean Oriental. 12mo. Paris, 1716.
691. Voyage de M. d'Arvieux dans la Palestine, avec Description de
l'Arabie, par Abulfeda. Memoires du Chevalier d'Arvieux, contenant ses
Voyages a 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.
