CHAPTER II. 
the plan and objects of my journey 
L OR several years I have been occupied in studying 
parti ^ ^ S^ography of Central Asia, partly at home and 
hofe ^ ^’'‘iversity of Berlin, under Baron von Richt- 
I ^ celebrated authority on Chinese geography. I 
Cent V A myself by two journeys to Persia and 
tivelv^ 1 years 1885-86 and 1890-91 respec- 
mis • after the conclusion of Your Majesty’s 
jourtre"^ T Nasr-eddin of Persia. During these 
to opportunity of becoming accustomed 
lea travel, to association with the natives, and of 
In most important languages. 
gj.g ^ of being able to make these preparatory 
to cause of science, I have ventured 
ex Majesty’s protection and support for the 
^ scheme which, if all goes well, will reflect 
cl ®or country, and contribute to disperse the 
^ o s which still rest over a great part of Central Asia. 
cj.gd^^P^*'^*'’''^*^ into that part of the world which was the 
^ e of the Aryan race, and from whose dim interior the 
^^Pgo s streamed out over the Avhole of Asia and part of 
pe, and where there is such a host of geographical 
port^ awaiting solution, is one of the most im- 
^isco^'^ within the domain of geographical 
tpgy object of my prospective journey is to 
Asia from west to east, from the Caspian Sea to 
in particular to explore the intermediate 
egmns which are least known. 
^''^cdish expedition should, if possible, leave Stock- 
*n the month of May of the present year (1893). 
19 
