ADDRESS. 
IX 
Now the Author is sensible that in his flight 
he can avail himself of no such manoeuvre. His 
gayest plumage is upon the surface, and should 
his wings, when expanded, prove, in public esti- 
mation, no better than a dead leaf, alas ! his 
adventitious ornaments will hut the more 
certainly attract notice, and bring down the 
merited persecutions of the critic. 
P. S. — By way of introduction to this new 
series of the Oriental Annual, it was at first 
intended to devote a volume exclusively to the 
illustration of the many picturesque and roman- 
tic islands, and to the sublime coast-scenery 
which delight the eye and the curiosity of the 
voyager to India. This, indeed, would have 
furnished material for a- book of a most novel 
and useful kind; many places of exceeding 
interest remaining to this day unknown, except 
as chance may have rendered them notable in 
history, or by literary description of a very 
vague sort, such as may be found in a gazetteer. 
But though novelty and utility were in favour of 
this design, the Author could not but feel that 
he should be losing his footing upon the proper 
