BACKHOUSE, James. - A narrative of a visit to the Mauritius and South Africa.

London, Hamilton, Adams, and Co., 1844. Later half red morocco, spine lettered in gilt. With folding map of Mauritius (mounted on linen), large folding map of South Africa (mounted on linen), 16 etched plates and 28 woodengravings. XVI,628,LVI pp. First edition. - The book is in the form of a diary, and the author seems to have traversed every part of South Africa where there was a mission station or a missionary. In this way he appears to have met almost every prominent man connected with mission work in South Africa at his time. The volume commences with an account of the author's visit to Mauritius, where he stayed about three months. There is a good description of Kaffraria, and of the Basuto, Griqua and Bechuana countries, and the account of the Cape Colony affords valuable information concerning the first part of the nineteenth century (Mendelssohn p.62). It contains vivid descriptions of the people he encountered, particularly the indigenous communities and those involved in the slave trade, which he found revolting and unchristian. Throughout the volume there are ample descriptions of the flora of the country. - A rich and personal account. - Fine. Hess & Coger 5155.

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