WHAT A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE SHOULD BE. 339 



few of those incidents, the recital of which constitutes the 

 principal charm of an itinerary. 



" The difficulties I have experienced since my return, 

 in the composition of a considerable number of treatises, 

 for the purpose of making known certain classes of 

 phenomena, insensibly overcame my repugnance to write 

 the narrative of my journey. In undertaking this task, 

 I have been guided by the advice of many estimable 

 persons, who honour me with their friendship. I also 

 perceived that such a preference is given to this sort of 

 composition, that scientific men, after having presented 

 in an isolated form the account of their researches on the 

 productions, the manners, and the political state of the 

 countries through which they have passed, imagine that 

 they have not fulfilled their engagements with the public, 

 till they have written their itinerary. 



"An historical narrative embraces two very distinct 

 objects; the greater or the less important events connected 

 with the purpose of the traveller, and the observations he 

 he has made during his journey. The unity of composi- 

 tion also, which distinguishes good works from those on 

 an ill-constructed plan, can be strictly observed only 

 when the traveller describes what has passed under his 

 own eye ; and when his principal attention has been fixed 

 less on scientific observations than on the manners of 

 different peoj^le and the great phenomena of nature. 

 Now, the most faithful picture of manners is that which 

 best displays the relations of men towards each other. 

 The character of savage or civilized life is portrayed either 

 in the obstacles a traveller meets with, or in the sensations 

 he feels. It is the traveller himself whom we continually 

 desire to see in contact with the objects which surround 



