PREFACE.

UNDER circumstances of peculiar anxiety, the Author presents the First Part of his Travels to the Public. A sense of unearned praise already bestowed by too eager anticipation weighs heavy on his mind; and some degree of apprehension attaches to the consciousness of having obeyed a strong impulse of duty in the unfavourable representation made of the state of society in Russia. The moral picture afforded of its inhabitants may seem distorted by spleen, and traced under other impressions than those of general charity and Christian benevolence: on which account the Reader is doubly entreated to pardon defects, which experience, chastened by criticism, may subsequently amend; and to suspend the judgment, which more general acquaintance with the Author may ultimately mitigate. The present publication is not the only one on which he will have to form an opinion. It is merely an introduction to his future notice."

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The plan under contemplation is to complete, in THREE separate PARTS, a series of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa; so that each portion, consisting of one or more volumes, may constitute a survey of some particular region. Thus, for example, the work now published, relates to Travels in Russia, Tartary, and Turkey; a second may include the observations collected in Greece, Syria, and Egypt; and, finally, a third, those which presented themselves in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, and Finland. But, in order to accomplish so extensive an undertaking, some indulgence is required to the manner of its execution; some credit for better disposition towards his fellow-creatures, than the Author's severe penance in Russia may seem to have excited. It is not so generally known as it may be, that the passage of a small rivulet, which separates the two countries of Sweden and Russia, the mere crossing of a bridge, conducts the traveller from all that adorns and dignifies the human mind, to whatsoever, most abject, has been found to degrade it. If the late Empress and Autocrat of all the Russias, Catharine the Second, could find a Volney, who would prostitute his venal pen to varnish the deformities of her reign and of her empire; if Potemkin did not want an apologist, and an advocate, even among the writers of this country; Great Britain will forgive the frankness of one among her sons, who has ventured, although harshly, to speak the truth. It is a language not wholly obscured in the more cautious descriptions of former writers, Tubervile, of England, Augustine,

Augustine, of Germany, Olearius, of Denmark, and, more recently, the Abbé de la Chappe, of France, together with the authors of many anonymous productions, represent the real character of the people, in colours, which neither the antidote of Alexis Mussin Pushkin, the drivellings of Voltaire, nor all the hired deceptions of French philosophers and savans, have been able to wipe away.

A few words by way of acknowledgment to those, who have contributed to the accomplishment of the present undertaking, it is hoped will not be deemed superfluous. At the same time it is not necessary to repeat expressions which occur in the following pages. With the exception, therefore, of Lord Whitworth, whose respectable name the Author here begs leave to introduce, no repetition will be offered. To his kindness, while Ambassador at Petersburg, the very existence of the present Volume may be ascribed; and his character ought to stand recorded, in having afforded, as an English minister, the very rare example of liberal patronage to his travelling countrymen, during the whole of his embassy.

In the course of the subsequent narrative the Author has generally used a plural expression, even with reference to his own personal observations. This mode of writing was adopted, not solely with a view to divest his style of egotism, but in allusion

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allusion to his friend, the cause and companion of his travels, John Marten Cripps, M. A. of Jesus College, Cambridge. To his unceasing ardour in prosecuting every enterprize, was added a mildness and suavity of manners, which endeared him to the inhabitants of whatever country he visited. The constancy and firmness he preserved through all the trials and privations of a long and arduous journey, as well as the support he rendered to the author in hours of painful and dangerous sickness, demand the warmest expressions of gratitude. The plants collected during the route were the result of their mutual labour; but the whole of the meteorological statement in the Appendix,' together with the account given of relays and distances, are due to his patient observation and industry.

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To the Rev. Reginald Heber, of Brazen-Nose College, Oxford, the Author is indebted for the valuable manuscript journal which afforded the extracts given in the Notes. In addition to Mr. Heber's habitual accuracy, may be mentioned the statistical information, which stamps a peculiar value on his observations: this has enriched the volume by communications the Author himself was incompetent to supply.

(1) See No. VII. of the Appendix. (2) Ibid. No. VI.

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