238 CATARACTS OF THE ORINOCO. 



the direction and the routes which should be followed 

 to explore the unknown portion of the South American 

 Continent between the sources of the Orinoco, the moun- 

 tain chain of Pacaraima, and the sea-shore near Esse- 

 quibo. These wishes, which I expressed so strongly in my 

 Relation Historique, have at last, after the lapse of almost 

 half a century, been for the greater part fulfilled. Besides 

 the joy of having lived to see so important an extension of 

 our geographical knowledge, I have had that of seeing it at- 

 tained by means of a courageous and well-conducted enter- 

 prise, requiring the most devoted perseverance, executed by 

 a young man with whom I feel united by the double bond of 

 similarity of pursuits and efforts, and of our common country. 

 Motives such as these have alone been sufficient to overcome 

 the distaste which I entertain, perhaps without reason, to in- 

 troductory prefaces by another hand than that of the author 

 of the work. But in this case I could not consent to forego 

 the opportunity of expressing, thus publicly, my heartfelt 

 esteem for the accomplished traveller who, in pursuit of an 

 object deriving all its interest from the mind, namely, in the 

 self-imposed task of penetrating from East to West, from the 

 Valley of the Essequibo to Esmeralda, succeeded, after five 

 years of efforts and of sufferings (which I can in part appre- 

 ciate from my own experience), in reaching the goal which 

 he had proposed to himself. Courage for the momentary 

 execution of a hazardous action is more easily met with, and 

 implies less of inward strength, than does the resolution to 

 endure patiently long- continued physical sufferings, incurred 



