VI PREFACE. 



discoveries ; for, as Ulysses sent Achilles to Troy, 

 so I sent him to Guiana. I intended to have 

 written much more at length; but days, and 

 months, and years have passed away, and nothing 

 has been done. Thinking it very probable that 

 I shall never have patience enough to sit down 

 and write a full account of all I saw and examined 

 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 



