the preference of the obsolete Preface. For-Mirabile dictu! —it is agreed that this pretended Preface was not reprinted, but the later one! that very one which contains the offending panegyric; and which, somehow or another, was nicely dropped! And now from reasoning we come to narrative. The late Sir John, seated in the chair of justice, judicially issues an order that the Preface of 1765 should be reprinted-but the Bookseller 66 PROBABLY" mark “ PROBABLY," for it is the tottering keystone of this arch, could not readily procure one; and "sent one of the later Editions to be printed from." It is like cruelty to pinch the Narrative so tender all over! Sir Jobu knew nothing of this substitution of the perfect for the imperfect Edition; yet the Printer intuitively, as if Sir John, or Sir John's Son, had been at his elbow, suddenly sickens at the vile panegyric of Steevens, stops his hand in the right place, and rejects it. Why, using the latest Editions (for well he knew his purchasers would not tolerate the odd taste of Sir John) with the panegyric of Steevens lying before bim, he should mutilate the Preface, who can tell? The secret history of Literature is not often contemporary. All this has proved a little fatiguing to me, and I fear more to the Reader: but what is more cold and lifeless than the analysis of a work of imagination? The Author of this Bibliographical Romance has vied with Homer in the creation of his incidents; but I cannot bestow the time to exhibit them in their due march and order; our Romancer having involved himself in complicated difficulties, and studious of the counsel of Horace, rightly called down a Deity to cut asunder the untwistable knot; a Deity, whose name in Heaven, as Homer sings, is "PROBABLY," and on Earth, as Burchell in the Vicar of Wakefield would have translated it,must be-"FUDGE!" The admirable part of this Narrative as it should be, is the most extraordinary catastrophe that romantic fiterature can display among all its "speciosa miracula.” Our Romancer, at that critical moment when the presence of the Hero was most wanted, to account for that aweful disappearance, -or to descend to plainer matters, when the Printer substituted the proper for the improper Edition, he thus sings- "Of this circumstance I am confident my Father was never informed; because living with him as I constantly did, it is scarcely likely that, if he had known it, I should not have heard of it, which I never did." The Critics have been unsatisfied with the Catastrophes of the Iliad and the Eneid; no ending is complete that is not final to all the incidents of the action. Now this is an excellence our Author has most happily, and even elegantly, obtained. For, just at the close, our Narrative-poet thus declares that he has been celebrating an event, with all its numerous particulars, which he never heard of! And as he is a genius, of the reversing species, if he really never heard all these circumstances and yet tells them so completely, we are led to conjecture that he knows still more than he has told. However, this catastrophe is a beautiful imitation of the shining ivory gate of Sleep in Virgil; for it announces, as that does, that the regions we have past are the regions of fiction-and that the whole is a dream! Let him answer how the Printer came to stop at the panegyric of Steevens, which was open before him? Such is the ineptitude of an unskilful advocate who attempts to cover the truth by scanty subterfuge; who invents, without the proper genius; and concludes, as genius reversed is apt to do, by confirming what he would confute. I Yet, let it not be imagined that wrote from any personal motive against the late Sir John Hawkins. With me it was mere matter of History. Of Hawkins's literary character I am inclined to think far better than the Criticks have hitherto allowed; the confused statements of objects which had passed under his eye, his feeble taste, his imperfect views, originate in the contraction of his intellect, and will for ever exclude him from the order of genius; but his fervent researches, his literary habits, and that passion for Literature he inspired through his family, excite our respect, and rank him among the esteemable men of letters. The redeeming genius of that family, the genius which, like the figure of the antients, bears wings on its shoulders and a flame on its head-must be a Female! Yours, &c. 1. D'ISRAELI. Mr. Memorandum with a view of assisting any single Gentleman, or Party of three or four, who wish to travel with convenience and satisfaction from BOMBAY to ENGLAND by the way of BussoRA., Previous to their departure, the following are the principal points to be attended to: Cot, Bedding, Linen, and Clothes, Of these as much may be carried as each person chuses, without any particular inconvenience or expence; but the cot and bedding had best be so contrived as to fold into a strong canvas bag, with a wax cloth cover, sufficient to preserve them from rain, and curtains ought not to be omitted, as the flies are sometimes uncommonly troublesome. If moving with light baggage is attended to, four or five dozen of linen, with a dozen of white waistcoats and breeches, a common travelling coat, and two suits, one of silk the other of cloth, with a shawl handkerchief or two, and warm bedding, will answer every purpose. Liquors.-On a supposition that the Captain of the vessel they may embark on will keep the table to Bussora, and that the journey across the Desert will not exceed thirty days, more will not be required, for each person, than four dozen of Madeira and one dozen of Spirits, or Shrub in preference, allowing even for breakage; but the package should be carefully attended to. Tea.-Sufficient ought to be carried, not only for the journey across the Desert, but until their arrival upon the Continent, and even to England; and therefore not less than 8 or 10 pounds for each person; and if this should be found too much, it will be very acceptable at the different places through which they must pass. Sugar Candy.-A tub to each person will be sufficient for every purpose. Biscuil. That, at least, for the use of the table, should be made at Bom bay in preference to Bussora, and of the small round sort. A Bombay maund to each person will be amply sufficient. Tables and Chairs.-These will be found real indulgences upon the Desert, and must not be omitted. The tables, of which there should be two, should be such as are used by the Gentlemen of the Army, and will bear The chairs to have tough usage. arms, and will be put together; and indeed if a spare one or two is carried, so much the better. Tents.-The most convenient and useful are those of eight or nine feet square, without any pole in the centre, and well quilted. The walls not to exceed five feet in height, and to be double corded; for, exclusive of the wind, which now and then blows hard and oversets the higher ones, particu larly where the earth is loose and sandy, the Arabs are too apt to steal the ropes. Of these, each Gentleman should have one for his bed and pri vale baggage. As a general eating tent, one of the Bombay Rowlys will answer extremely well, and larger. would only be inconvenient; and similar one will be wanted for the servants and baggage. A couple of old tent walls will be be very useful to keep the wind from the fire, whilst the cook is employed: and a necessary tent should not be forgot. Cooking Utensils.-A spit and racks, a gridiron, a chafing-dish, a tea-kettle, two coffee-pots, and, in case of sickness, a silver saucepan, au iron plate to bake bread, a cullender, a skimming ladle, and half a dozen of copper pots, made, like the camp kettles, to let in to one another. The whole to pack in one chest.-To these must be added a deep copper dish for the fowls, ducks, and cattle to drink out of. Sufficient will Table Furniture. Packages Should be as near as well; well; but they are too large. Each Servants From Bombay, with an Guns and Pistols-Are more neces- Dogs. If any of the gentlemen are Mode of Travelling. The methods may either sit or lie at full length, In Ives's Journal there is a very swer swer better than any other single mode. A Chaise had never been tried till we attempted it, and the convenience we found in it is very sufficient to recommend it to others. Perhaps a two-wheeled chaise may be preferable to a four one, as the stony road for three or four days is very troublesome. Whoever is induced to bring a chaise would do well to have the top so made, as to take off occasionally; and at Bussora to purchase a pair of mules, to relieve each other daily. It should be as light as possible, consistent with strength; and a spare axle-tree had better accompany it. Water Skins. Those used at Surat and Broach for the Buffaloes are much stronger and far preferable to those made at Bussora; and therefore two pair at least had better be carried, as well as a Bownagur Chaagul canteen for each person and each servant. These, with a few of the Bussora smaller skins,will be sufficient,as water is scarce ever further distant than the fourth day. Coops for Live Stock. Those made at Bussora, being only slips of date trees, are very insufficient; they ought therefore to be brought from Bombay, nearly of the same size as those used on board ship, only better contrived to the camel's side and to balance exactly. One good pair that would hold three dozen, divided each by three or four partitions to prevent the fowls and ducks from pressing upon each other, in case of the coops losing their balance by the camels being unruly, as frequently happens at the beginning of the journey. Provisions. A bag or two of Yams will be very welcome on Desert, and a dozen baskets acceptable at Bussora, a small box of essences, a bottle or two of crash, a few pickles, some preserved tamarinds and mangoes: these we found very grateful indeed after a hot march. BUSSORA. On the arrival of the party here, if they mean to travel quick, their first attention must be the securing a proper caravan, au interpreter, a cook, and a horse for each person. Caravan.-Previous to ascertaining the sum, the following preliminaries should be carefully adjusted. Had we known this, a heavy additional expence would have been avoided, as well as a deal of vexations altercations with our Shick : 1st, That he the Shick shall not permit any article of merchandize to be carried without express permission. -2. That he shall not take any other passengers of any denomination whatever.-3. That the number of guards be fixed at sixty; as from a most careful investigation of this subject with the several Shicks in the grand carravan, we are convinced that number is sufficient at any season of the year, they being sufficient to protect any party from robbers or wanderers; and five times their number could not give protection, were any of the great Shicks to attempt to detain them. 4. That each of the above sixty be provided with a matchlock and a proper quantity of ammunition; and that each is furnished with a camel, and carry his own provisions and water. -5. That, independent of the guard, six Arabs be furnished by the Shick for the purposes of bringing wood and water, pitching tents, loading camels, &c. Their pay should be included in the general contract; but being constantly employed in your service, they ought to be provisioned that is, a certain quantity of rice and butter should be delivered them every evening, and as much biscuit and dates in the course of the day as they chuse to eat.-6. That, instead of bargaining for any certain number of baggage camels, the whole of the baggage meant to be carried be weighed and shewn to the Shick, and he be at liberty to carry it as he pleases. By this regulation every cause of dispute is removed, and probably a heavy additional expence avoided, as was our case, though we hired at first 20 camels, then 10, and on the day of setting out from Zebere were obliged to pay 150 lumaboobs for additional baggage. 7. That a certain day be fixed for departure from Zebere; after which no halt to be permitted, except for the necessary purposes of refreshment. This is meant to prevent delays near Zebere, in order to give time for goods being sent privately.-8. That only two-thirds of whatever sum may be agreed upon be paid in Bussora, and the remainder at Aleppo, on the completion of the journey and contract.-9. That the whole of the contract be regularly drawn up and executed in duplicate, one to remain at Bussora, Bussora, and the other to be produced at Aleppo; and the more form that is observed in this, the better, as the Arabs will endeavour to saddle Travellers with expences; and therefore a particular provision should be made, that all fees, or presents, to all other tribes whatever, shall be defrayed by the Shick, or deducted out of the third to be paid at Aleppo. Clothes of the Country-Are no wise requisite, as it is impossible to conceal your being English; nor would it answer any good purpose to attempt it, except in case of passing by any of the Tribes whilst the caravan is in motion; for, if you halt, your tents and baggage will instantly distinguish you; and for this purpose a black camelin and a coarse shawl for a turband are quite sufficient. Provisions. It is scarce possible to draw up any certain list, without knowing the number of the party, their servants, &c. However, very little inconvenience will attend the want of it here, as the lists of the articles carried by former Travellers are kept at Bussora, and an express caravan need not be provided with more than five weeks' provisions at the utmost. The following are the principal points to attend to Salt beef and tongues: these are excellent in their kind; and what we brought are not yet expended, though in the last week of our quarantine. Potted meat: what we had, was not sufficiently pressed down, which occasioned the loss of it. Sheep: these we purchased frequently, and were never without them; they were excellent, and accompanied the camels tolerably well; but an express caravan should not trust to the meeting with them.-Fowls and Ducks: the latter in preference, as bearing fatigue better. Lime or Orange Juice: very necessary and refreshing; at least a dozen bottles.-Vinegar: at least a carbhay. Coffee: a maund will answer every purpose.-Dates: are of great use to the Arabs, and therefore two or three additional frails had better be carried.-Wheat-flour: is preferable to Bussora biscuit, and is easily made into tolerable bread upon an iron plate. Grain for the Horses: a full allowance, and to be delivered out carefully by measure; the want of which, to our party, would have been of consequence, had we not forGENT. MAG. July, 1814. tunately, at Hect, upon the banks of the Euphrates, and again at Tyba, met with supplies; which an express caravan ought not to trust to. Other necessaries. A tinder-box, steel and matches; two Aleppo lanthorns; a hatchet or two; a wooden triangle for the large skins of water, and another for the smaller ones; candles, a dozen or 15lbs.; tent pins, long and of durable wood, a spare bag full, and a couple of spare mallets; small water skins, enough to complete for four days, 12 to 20; be very careful that they are new; piastres in halves and quarters, not above 100; a hooka or nargil, with tobacco and tongs, and spare reeds must not be forgot, as a fresh chillum is a real indulgence. The occurrences in our journey across the Desert have nothing very remarkable in them, and yet they may be of service, particularly in shewing the inconvenience of accompanying a grand caravan. (To be concluded in a future Number.) SIR; "Kensington, July 8. SHALL feel obliged by the inser tion of the following correction of riana, which had before escaped me. some errata in the Bibliotheca SpenceIt is hardly necessary to premise, that considerable number of little inaccurain a work of such extent and variety, a correctness constitutes the chief merit cies must present themselves; but, as of every bibliographical production, I am of course willing to hope that these inaccuracies are neither dagrant sideration. The errata, above alluded nor numerous in the one under conto, are as follow: |