x PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



in those remote wilds, I give up the intention of doing 

 so, and send forth this account of my Wanderings, just 

 as it was written at the time. 



If critics are displeased with it in its present form, I 

 beg to observe, that it is not totally devoid of interest, 

 and that it contains something useful. Several of the 

 unfortunate gentlemen who went out to explore the 

 Congo, were thankful for the instructions they found in 

 it ; and Sir Joseph Banks, on sending back the journal, 

 said in his letter, " I return your journal, with abundant 

 thanks for the very instructive lesson you have favoured 

 us with this morning, which far excelled, in real utility, 

 everything I have hitherto seen." And in another letter 

 he says, " I hear with particular pleasure your intention 

 of resuming your interesting travels, to which natural 

 history has already been so much indebted." And again, 

 " I am sorry you did not deposit some part of your last 

 harvest of birds in the British Museum, that your name 

 might become familiar to naturalists, and your unrivalled 

 skill in preserving birds be made known to the public." 

 And again, "You certainly have talents to set forth a 

 book, which will improve ard extend materially the 

 bounds of natural science." 



Sir Joseph never read the third adventure. Whilst 

 I was engaged in it, death robbed England of one of her 

 most valuable subjects, and deprived the Eoyal Society 

 of its brightest ornament. 



