vi PREFACE. 



and cannot deteriorate from its excellence. There, indeed, I have 

 not presumed to make the slightest alteration, not even by com- 

 pressing the Supplement into the body of the work ; feeUug per- 

 fectly assured, that I had no right to deprive the public of one 

 word, and that all attempts to improve would have been fruitless. 



For the second part I claim indulgence, but I do not ask it 

 from the consideration that I am a widow with three orphans to 

 maintain and educate ; for, in my opinion, these circumstances 

 form the strongest stimulus to exertion. I have only to entreat 

 the public to consider, that I make my appearance as an 

 Authoress for the first time, and deprived of the aid which would 

 have ensured me success. Accustomed to submit every word and 

 action to my husband, I now feel a diffidence in my own abilities, 

 which fetters rather than promotes my best endeavours. 



When I I'ecollect the painful struggles, the numerous privations, 

 the years of intense study, which preceded Mr. Bowdich's third 

 voyage to Africa ; when I reflect, that every hope, every wish, that 

 bound us to Europe was sacrificed ; that all personal property, and 

 the greatest bodily and mental exertions were devoted to this one 

 cherished object ; and when I look at the last part of the volume, 

 to which this is the Preface, I feel concerned at the little apparent 

 result. But when I request my readers to bear in mind, that the 

 little that has been done was completed in the short space of a 

 month, I think they will agree with me, that it is a favourable 

 specimen of what might have been effected, had Mr. Bowdich's hfe 

 been prolonged. 



Although I may deem it necessary to control my feelings in 



