IV 
PREFACE. 
account of my “Wanderings,” just as it was written at 
the time. 
If critics are displeased with it in its present form, I beg 
to observe, that it is not totally devoid of interest, and that 
it contains something useful. Several of the unfortunate 
gentlemen who went out to explore the Congo, were 
thankful for the instructions they found in it; and Sir 
Joseph Banks, on sending back the journal, said in his 
letter, “ I return your journal, with abundant thanks for 
the very instructive lesson you have favoured us with this 
morning, which far excelled, in real utility, every thing I 
have hitherto seen.” And in another letter he says, “ I 
hear with particular pleasure your intention of resuming 
your interesting travels, to which natural history lias 
already been so much indebted.” And again, “ I am sorry 
you did not deposit some part of your last harvest of birds 
in the British Museum, that your name might become 
familiar to naturalists, and your unrivalled skill in pre¬ 
serving birds, be made known to the public.” And again, 
“You certainly have talents to set forth a book, which 
will improve and extend materially the bounds of natural 
science.” 
Sir Joseph never read the third adventure. Whilst I 
was engaged in it, death robbed England of one of her 
most valuable subjects, and deprived the Royal Society of 
its brightest ornament. 
