C X 3 
ports, that I was able to moderate its vio-^ 
lence. 
I crofled the feas, as I wifhed to furvejr 
other men, other produftions, and other 
climates ; I penetrated into fome of the 
unknown defarts of Africa ; and I may fay- 
that I conquered a fmall portion of the 
earth. 
I had no wifh to acquire reputation ; I 
was confcious of no merit that could en- 
title me to it, and I employed my time 
only in pleafure. 
As my friends and my family were of 
opinion that an account of my travels, 
and fome details refpefting my difcoveries 
in natural hiftory, might be of utility, 
I have given them this account and thefe 
details, fuch as they are, claiming to my- 
felf on this account no other merit than 
that of complaifance, and renouncing every 
kind of pretenfion to literature, the bur- 
den of which I could not fupport. 
It may perhaps be thought ftrange, that 
to give an account of travels lately un- 
dertaken into Africa I have been obliged 
to return to the paft, and to conduct my 
readers to the firft fteps of my infancy 
in 
