X 
PREFACE. 
Another motive for publifliing this book was, a defire of being 
ufeful to future travellers, whom ardent curiofity might impel to 
viftt the northern diftri&s. Thofe parts of Europe, which are, I 
may fay, almoft abandoned by nature, are little known, and any 
information concerning them muft of courfe be acceptable. 
Fafhion, which extends its influence over every thing, appears, 
in our day, to favour travels and expeditions to the North: 
and the prevalence of this may, perhaps, have been increafed by 
the political troubles in the South of Europe. However this may 
be, flich as travel to thofe quarters are entitled to a degree of 
regard and efteem which cannot juftly be claimed by thofe who 
vifit the South of Europe : for the hardy North does not by any 
means hold out the fame luxuries, the fame allurements of cli¬ 
mate, and the fame temptations to pleafure that are prefented by 
a more genial and inviting foil. Journeys in the North will be 
undertaken by thofe only who have a juft and mafculine tafte 
for nature, under every afpedt, and are actuated by a defire of en¬ 
larging their own information, and of inftrudting others. 
With this view the Author, having reached the North Cape 
by a route before confidered as impracticable in fummer, has pub- 
lifhed 
