Trieste, Jan. 31, 1875. 
My Dear Sir George, 
UR paths in life have been separated by a long 
interval. Whilst inclination led you to explore 
and to survey the wild wastes of the North, the 
Arctic shores and the Polar seas, with all their 
hardships and horrors; my lot was cast in the 
torrid regions of Sind and Arabia; in the luxuriant deserts of 
Africa, and in the gorgeous tropical forests of the Brazil. But 
the true traveller can always appreciate the record of another’s 
experience, and perhaps the force of contrast makes him most 
enjoy the adventures differing the most from his own. To whom, 
then, more appropriately than to yourself, a discoverer of no 
ordinary note, a recorder of explorations, and, finally, an earnest 
labourer in the cause of geography, can I inscribe this plain, un¬ 
varnished tale of a soldier-traveller? Kindly accept the trifle 
as a token of the warmest esteem, an earnest of my thankfulness 
for the interest ever shown by you in forwarding my plans and 
projects of adventure ; and, in the heartfelt hope that Allah may 
prolong your days, permit me to subscribe myself, 
Your sincere admirer and grateful friend, 
Richard F. Burton. 
Admiral Sir George Back, D.C.L., F.R.S., 
Vice-Pres. R.G.S., &c. 
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