BACKHOUSE, James A Narrative of a Visit to the Mauritius and South Africa. London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co. 1844.
8vo. 20th-cenury half-morocco over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt-stamped lettering-pieces, ruled in gilt; pp. xvi, 648, lvi (appendices); 16 etched plates on lithographically toned backgrounds with tissue guards, two folding maps including one hand-coloured in outline, wood engravings to text; the large South Africa map with a few old repairs, a good copy of a beautiful book with important provenance.
First edition. A fascinating account of travels through the cities and peoples of southern Africa. The author states in his preface that the aim of the journey, made in company with his colleague George Washington Walker, "was purely the discharge of a religious duty" - viz. "to spread the Redeemer's kingdom". However, Backhouse's narrative gives a wealth of information concerning the day-to-day lives of the countries' inhabitants and about the flora and fauna around them.
Mendelssohn I.107; Toussaint & Adolphe Bibliography of Mauritius D80.
Provenance: This copy belonged to the historian of South African travel and exploration Vernon Siegfried Forbes (bookplate).
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