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.
