PREFACE. 
IX 
For the notes on nautical subjects, I am principally indebted to the 
late Mr. Gawthorpe, Master of His Majesty’s Ship the Lion, and 
afterwards of the Alceste. 
In questions connected with geography, in which my information 
was imperfect, I have to acknowledge the kind advice and ready 
help of Major Rennell. 
With respect to the engravings on copper and on wood, which 
appear in this work, I may be permitted to add, that alike when 
executing on the spot the drawings from which they are taken, and 
when directing in this country the artists employed on the several 
subjects, it has been my object, that the closest representation of the 
truth might be produced; and my maps, drawn by myself in the 
country, but greatly assisted by the ability of the engraver, Mr. Sydney 
Hall, will, perhaps, be received as affording some new materials 
towards extending our knowledge of the geography of the northern 
parts of Persia. As materials for future geographers, and as the evi¬ 
dences on which my own maps have in part been founded, I have sub¬ 
joined in the Appendix a table of Bearings and Distances. 
The spelling of oriental words in European characters will always 
continue a subject of explanation and apology among travellers; for 
no uniform standard can be adopted by those of different nations. I 
will only say, that I have endeavoured to preserve a consistency in the 
orthography of eastern terms throughout this volume, and not unne¬ 
cessarily to deviate from that adopted in my former work, or recog¬ 
nized in the more common usage of preceding travellers of my own 
country. 
a 
