12mo. - Maillet was French Consul at Cairo for sixteen
years: his work is valuable on antiquities, and the religion of the ancient
and modern Egyptians. It may also be consulted with advantage for
information on the manners and customs; but in what he relates regarding
the Nile and natural history, he is not so accurate and judicious.
610. Lettres sur l'Egypte. Par M. Savary. Paris, 1786. 3 vols. 8vo. - This
work, very celebrated and much read for some time after it appeared, and
translated into English, German, Dutch, and Swedish, gradually lost the
character it had acquired; partly because his descriptions were found to be
overcharged and too favourable, and partly because he describes Upper Egypt
as if he had visited it, whereas he never did. Nevertheless, the learning
and judgment which this author displays in drawing from scarce and little
known Arabic authors, curious notices respecting ancient and modern Egypt,
give to the work an intrinsic and real value, which is not affected by the
observations we have made.
611. Voyage dans la Haute et Basse Egypte. Par Sonnini. Paris, 1799. 3
vols. 8vo. - This work deservedly bears a high character for the accuracy
and fulness of its natural history; especially its ornithology:
antiquities, manners and customs, are by no means overlooked: there are two
translations into English, - the one published by Debrett, 1800, 4to. is the
best; it was afterwards published in 3 vols. 8vo.
612. Voyage dans la Haute et Basse Egypte. Par Denon. Paris, 1802. 2 vols.
folio.
613. Description de l'Egypte, ou Recueil des Observations, &c. faites
pendant l'Expedition de l'Armie Francaise, en 3 livraisons. Paris, 1809,
&c.
These magnificent works, the result of the observations and researches
of the savans who accompanied Bonaparte, undoubtedly add much to our
knowledge of Egypt; but they are more decidedly specimens of French
vanity and philosophism, than of sober and real science. Denon's work is
translated into English and German: the best English translation is by
Aikin.
614. Norden's Travels in Egypt and Nubia, with Templeman's notes, published
and translated under the inspection of the Royal Society of London, 1757, 2
vols. folio. - Norden was a Danish physician; his work was originally
published in that language. A French translation was published at
Copenhagen, in 1755; and a subsequent one at Paris in 1795-98, in 3 vols.
4to. with very valuable notes and illustrations from ancient and modern
authors, and Arabian geographers, by Langles. The merits of Norden's work,
are of the most enduring and substantial kind, so far as relates to the
Antiquities of Egypt, and the Cataracts: it is high and unequivocal
commendation of this author, that subsequent travellers have found him a
judicious and sure guide.
615. Legh's Journey in Egypt, and the Country beyond the Cataract, 1816,
4to. - In a small compass, there is much new information in these Travels,
though not so much respecting the ancient country of the Ethiopians, in
which Mr. Legh went beyond most former travellers, as could have been
wished. Some parts of the personal narrative are uncommonly interesting.
616. Belzoni's Operations and Discoveries in Egypt, 4to. 1820. - Whoever has
read this book, (and who has not?) will agree with us in opinion, that its
interest is derived, not less from the manner in which it is written, the
personal adventures, and the picture it exhibits of the author's character,
than from its splendid and popular antiquarian discoveries.
617. Edmonston's Journey to two of the Oases of Upper Egypt, 1823. 8vo.
618. Notes during a Visit to Egypt, Nubia, &c. By Sir F. Henniker, 8vo.
1823.
619. Waddington's Journal of a Visit to some parts of Ethiopia, 1823. 4to.
620. Narrative of the Expedition to Dangda and Sennaar. By An American.
1823. 8vo. - These works, and especially the last, make us acquainted with
parts of Africa inaccessible to Europeans till very lately, and add
considerably to our stock of physical and moral geography. Sir F.
Henniker's work brings us in contact, in a very lively and pleasing manner,
with many points in the character and habits of the natives of the country
he visited.
WESTERN AFRICA, AND THE ADJACENT ISLES.
622. Voyages de Aloysio Cadamosto aux Isles Madere, et des Canaries au Cap
Blanc, au Senegal, &c. en 1455. 4to. Paris, 1508. - This work was originally
published in Italian; its author was employed by Don Henry of Portugal, to
prosecute discovery on the Western Coast of Africa. Besides an interesting
detail of the voyage, it makes us acquainted with the manners and habits of
the people, before they had been accustomed to European intercourse.
622. Voyage de Lybie, ou du Royaume de Senegal, fait et compose par C.
Jannequin, de retour en France, in 1659. Paris, 1645. 8vo. - This also is an
interesting work, as depicting with great naivete and force the manners of
the inhabitants, and affording some curious particulars respecting their
diseases.
623. Nouvelle Relation de l'Afrique occidentale. Par Labat. Paris, 1728. 5
vols. 12mo. - Though Labat never visited the countries he describes, which
are, Senegal, and those that lie behind Cape Blanc and Sierra Leone; yet as
he derived his information from the Director General of the French African
Company, it may be depended upon. This work enters into full particulars on
the subject of African commerce, especially that carried on by the Moors in
the interior. The plants, animals, soil, &c. as well as the religion,
government, customs, manufactures are also described.
624. Histoire Naturelle du Senegal. Par M. Adanson. Paris. 1757. 4to. - M.
Adanson was in this part of Africa, from 1749 to 1753; his chief study and
investigation seems to have been directed to conchology; and the
descriptions and admirable plates in his book, certainly leave little to be
desired on this subject. There are besides remarks on the temperature,
productions, economy, and manufactures of the country.
625. Nouvelle Histoire de l'Afrique Francaise. Par M. l'Abbe Dumanet.
Paris, 1767.
