158 Turkey, Cofistantiiiople, Egypt, [^Auo. 



any more practically useful branch of literature than books of travels ; 

 and although we must confess that our present business is with writers 

 of a somewhat different description, they are not without merit in their 

 several ways. 



Captain Frankland has been rambling for three years on the continents 

 of Europe and Asia, for the mere purpose, as it should seem, of dissipat- 

 ing ennui. Mr. IMadden is a surgeon, who does not communicate the 

 precise object of his journeying ; but who appears to have devoted about 

 four years to travelling in Turkey, Egypt, Nubia, and Palestine, and who 

 seems to have inquired with great diligence into such scientific and other 

 interesting topics as presented themselves to him in those countries. 

 Although they have both traversed many of the same spots, their rela- 

 tions are as different as their characters and their pursuits. ]Mr. Madden, 

 as becomes a man of science, inquires as deeply as his opportunities will 

 allow into what comes in his way ; Captain Frankland looks at their 

 outsides, and passes a judgment on them as rapid as it is superficial. IMr. 

 ]\Iadden speaks with great complacency of his own good temper and 

 good humour, from the effects of which he endeavours to inculcate upon 

 other travellers " the necessity of an unruffled temper and a cheerful 

 demeanour, in countries where peevishness and pride only tend to exas- 

 perate the lawless inhabitants." Captain Frankland, on the other hand, 

 glorifies himself on having bullied a Hadjee, the post-master at Kirk 

 Ilissa, * on wearing green slippers and a white turban, and on carrying 

 his do"- before liim on his saddle ; for no other reason, as it should seem, 

 than because these practices were particularly obnoxious to the preju- 

 dices of the people through whose country he was travelling. ]\Ir. 

 Madden busies himself in ascertaining the origin of modern and ancient 

 customs, the cause of diseases incidental to the climates, and the reasons 

 of institutions which appear to be universal. Captain Frankland 

 sketches trees and ruins, and gives profound opinions upon the " deli- 

 cious httle jacket of black velvet embroidered with gold," which he saw 

 a lady wear at Bucharest. We have thought, that although to travel 

 with either would be fatiguing enough, they might together make an 

 amusing melange; and, with this short explanation of their various 

 objects, we shall combine their relations in the belief that our readers will 

 be of our way of thinking. It is only fair to add, that both our tra- 

 vellers, with good discretion, disclaim all attempts at literary excellence. 

 Captain Frankland begins his narrative with an account of his journey 



" The noble Captain's choler was raised by the Hadjee's first having extorted more 

 than the ordinary charge for post-horses, and then refusing to furnish them. The phlegm 

 of the Turk, and the impotent threats of the Captain (which, however, he was wise 

 enough not to attempt to carry into effect) are most amusingly contrasted in the account 

 he gives of this ridiculous affair : — 



" My wrath was kindled ; and advancing to the Turk, as he sat in the corner, I pointed 

 with one hand to my pistols, shook my clenched fist in his face, and apostrophized him in 

 all the languages I could command, in the hope that he might perhaps understand some 

 few of the opprobrious epithets which I lavislied upon him. He seemed utterly con- 

 founded by my gesticulations and volubility ; and perhaps took me for a madman, or one 

 suddenly inspired. I then seized a lighted candle, and threatened to set tire to his khan if 

 he did not immediately order the horses; to all this he tranquilly replied, in broken Italian, 

 < Cavalli mariffiano.' Tlie Tartar and the Turks meanwhile looked on in utter amaze- 

 ment, expecting every moment to see the Hadjee post-master draw his yatagan, and smite 

 off the head of the presumptuous Giaour, who had dared thus to beard the lion in his 

 den." 



