PREFATORY NOTICE TO THE 
ILLUSTRATED EDITION 
THIS work was described, on its first appearance, by a writer 
in the Quarterly Review as “ One of the most interesting 
narratives of voyaging that it has fallen to our lot to take up, 
and one which must always occupy a distinguished place in 
the history of scientific navigation.” 
This prophecy has been amply verified by experience ; the 
extraordinary minuteness and accuracy of Mr. Darwin’s obser¬ 
vations, combined with the charm and simplicity of his 
descriptions, have ensured the popularity of this book with all 
classes of readers—and that popularity has even increased in 
recent years. No attempt, however, has hitherto been made 
to produce an illustrated edition of this valuable work : 
numberless places and objects are mentioned and described, 
but the difficulty of obtaining authentic and original representa¬ 
tions of them drawn for the purpose has never been overcome 
until now. 
Most of the views given in this work are from sketches 
made on the spot by Mr. Pritchett, with Mr. Darwin’s book by 
his side. Some few of the others are taken from engravings 
which Mr. Darwin had himself selected for their interest as 
illustrating his voyage, and which have been kindly lent by 
his son. 
Mr. Pritchett’s name is well known in connection with the 
voyages of the Sunbeam and Wanderer , and it is believed that 
the illustrations, which have been chosen and verified with the 
utmost care and pains, will greatly add to the value and 
interest of the “VOYAGE OT A NATURALIST.” 
Dec. 18S9. 
JOHN MURRAY. 
