2 
INTRODUCTION. 
I was born in 1800, at Mauz^, in the department of 
the Deux-Sevres ; my parents who were poor, 1 had the 
misfortune to lose in my childhood. I received no other 
education than what the charity-school of my village afforded ; 
and as soon as I could read and write, 1 was put to learn a 
trade, to which I soon took a dislike, owing to the reading of 
voyages and travels, which occupied all my leisure moments. 
The History of Robinson Crusoe, in particular, inflamed my 
young imagination : I was impatient to encounter adven- 
tures like him ; nay, I already felt an ambition to signalize 
myself by some important discovery springing up in my 
heart. 
Geographical books and maps were lent to me : the map 
of Africa, in which I saw scarcely any but countries marked 
as desert or unknown, excited my attention more than any 
other. In short, this predilection grew into a passion for 
which I renounced every thing; 1 ceased to join in the sports 
and amusements of my comrades ; I shut myself up on 
Sundays to read all the books of travels that I was able to 
procure. 1 talked to my uncle, who was my guardian, of 
my desire to travel : he disapproved it, forcibly representing 
the dangers which 1 should incur at sea, and the regret which 
I should feel far away from my country and my family — in 
short, he neglected nothing to divert me from my project. 
My resolution, however, was irrevocable ; 1 still insisted on 
setting out, and he made no further opposition. 
All that I possessed was sixty francs, and with this 
trifle I proceeded to Rochefort in 1816, and embarked in the 
brig La Loire, bound to Senegal. 
This vessel, as it is well known, sailed in company with 
La Meduse, on board which was M. Mollien, with whom I 
was not then acquainted, and who has since made such in- 
teresting discoveries in the interior of Africa. Our brig, 
having luckily parted company with La Meduse, arrived 
without accident in the road of St. Louis. From that place 
osi 
