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. Jesuites. Redige 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, Envoye
Extraordinaire du Roi aupres 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'Abbe 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. Expose 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.
