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mation, since the publication of Sir James Clarke's work, which, moreover, did not touch upon those shores of the eastern extremity of the Mediterranean, which it was my fortune to visit. Of Madeira and the Canaries, I feel that too much cannot be said; and upon comparing my own notes with the opinions and investigations of others, I am daily more convinced, that for invalids they are vastly superior to any other climate within the same distance of our shores. I trust, that persons in search of health will glean from my pages some useful information relative to the accommodations and best seasons for visiting the various places we touched at, in the Levant, and elsewhere.

To new discoveries, my book makes but little pretension; but I confess that the researches concerning the topographies of ancient Tyre and Jerusalem, have cost me much labour and investigation, and I trust they may be thought of some interest, both by the Biblical Student, and the general reader. Many of the tombs and monuments upon the coast of Asia Minor, which I have examined and described, seem to have been comparatively overlooked by former travellers.

Though much has lately been written about the change now taking place in Egypt, it is a subject upon which the British public can never be too well

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informed, and cannot take too deep an interest, considering how materially our means of rapid communication with our Indian possessions, must be influenced by the condition of that country.

A considerable delay, consequent upon the state of the author's health, and numerous avocations, has occurred in carrying the work through the press, which will account to the reader for some of my observations upon the war in India. It remains yet to be seen whether our present successes shall be permanent, or my views be correct. The war now carrying on between the French and Ab-del Kadir is merely what I had foreseen and described in the Chapter on Algiers.

The Appendix contains some disquisitions upon subjects which I trust will interest the Antiquary, and the Student of Natural History, though perhaps too abstruse for the general reader.

Of the many imperfections in style and language, I am but too conscious; but I trust my readers will make some allowance for a first work, written under many disadvantages, and amidst conflicting avocations.

199, GREAT BRUNSWICK STREET,

Dublin, January, 1840.

CONTENTS.

CONTENTS.

xi

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