GEORGE FREDERICK RUXTON. Vli 



that field of African research which he had already con- 

 templated from its borders. He next bent his steps to 

 Mexico ; and, fortunately, has presented to the world his 

 reminiscences of that country, in one of the most fascin- 

 ating volumes which of late years has issued from -the 

 press. It would, however, appear that the African scheme, 

 the darling project of his life, had again recurred to him 

 at a later period ; for in the course of the present spring, 

 before setting out on that journey which was destined to 

 be his last, the following expressions occur in one of his 

 letters : 



" My movements are uncertain, for I am trying to get 

 up a yacht voyage to Borneo and the Indian Archipelago ; 

 have volunteered to Government to explore Central Africa; 

 and the Aborigines Protection Society wish me to go out 

 to Canada to organise the Indian tribes ; whilst, for my 

 own part and inclination, I wish to go to all parts of the 

 world at once." 



As regards the volume to which this notice serves as 

 Preface, the editor does not hesitate to express a very high 

 opinion of its merits. Written by a man untrained to 

 literature, and whose life, from boyhood upwards, was 

 passed in the field and on the road, in military adventure 

 and travel, its style is yet often as remarkable for graphic 

 terseness and vigour, as its substance everywhere is for 

 great novelty and originality. The narrative of " Life in 

 the Far West " was first offered for insertion in 'HLackwodd's 

 Magazine' in the spring of 1848, when the greater portion 

 of the manuscript was sent, and the remainder shortly 

 followed. During its publication in that periodical, the 

 wildness of the adventures related excited suspicions in 

 certain quarters as to their actual truth and fidelity. It 

 may interest the reader to know that the scenes described 

 are pictures from life, the results of the author's personal 

 experience. The following are extracts from letters ad- 



