PRINTED FOR MATHEWS AND LEIGH, IN THE STRAND,

BY W. CLOWES, NORTHUMBERLAND-COURT.

DA 865 C 31

TO

VISCOUNT VALENTIA, M. P.

F.R.S. F. A.S. F.L.S. P.R.I.

MEMBER OF

THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, AND THE LITERARY SOCIETY OF BOMBAY;

VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN SOCIETY ;
VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE LITERARY FUND; &c. &c. &c.

To you,

MY LORD,

,

who have devoted so many years in the ardent and successful pursuit of knowledge in distant regions, the treasures of which you are about to pour into the lap of your country, I beg to have the honour of dedicating the follow.

ing pages.

Although, in extent and variety of research, as well as in the acquirements, toil, and enterprise necessary for its success, your Lordship has rarely been equalled, you have not resembled those travellers, who, to a perfect acquaintance with the laws, customs, and manners of other countries, unite an almost entire ignorance of their own.