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4to. x, 376 pp. Contents, list of plates, errata, 13 aquatint plates (5 hand-colored), 2 appendices; frontispiece-plate trimmed and re-mounted, some soiling, foxing throughout, off-setting from plates, cellophane tape repair to final leaf (corner). Modern quarter dark brown calf, dual gilt stamped red morocco spine labels, raised bands, new endleaves; title-page and other red rubberstamps (p. 1, pl. facing p. 80) of the Mercantile Library of Philadelphia. Over-all very good; fine binding. First edition. In 1817 Johnson, who had lived most of his life in India, and his companion Captain Salter decided that they would travel to England by land. The Napoleonic wars were at an end and peace was the rule in Persia and Europe. Further, the successes of the English had left a favorable impression with many people and the British uniform was respected. This book is based on Johnson's journal of their travels. It is filled with observations on local life and customs as well as the adventures of the traveler. Johnson supplies the reader with tables of expenses and distances, and writes about points of interest. He states his points of view freely, without much courtesy, which brings out the bias and makes the reader understand it. On page 25 Johnson makes a disparaging remark on Armenian women, "they cannot be commended generally for superior beauty." Later he comments on their "fine black eyes and hair; with large eye-brows." Then in his uniquely British vernacular, "they showed little freshness and no bloom." Then of equal interest he comments on his understanding of the Persian opinion or lack of esteem for Armenians and makes comparison to the Jews: "â ¦ the few Jews who are established in Persia are still more despised than the Armenians." (p. 26). / Johnson is also very giving with specific data on the details of travel, including costs, hired help, equipment and clothing, tipping, with clarifications for payment to his cook, servants, and a muleteer. The account leaves from Bombay, India and arrives at Muscat, passing through the Persian Gulf and landing again at Bushire, through Boorauzgoon, Daulekee, Konar Takht, Kumaredge, Kauzeroon, Shahpoor, Shiraz ["Shirauz"], Zergoon, Persepolis, Valley of Meerdusht, Oojan, Kooshkezerd, Dehgurdoo, Komesha, Isfahan ["Ispahan"], Shah Abba's palace, etc., then to Tehran ["Tehraun"]. There is a sequence here in Tehran where the author and his British companions enter into a hummaum, the Turkish-style hot bath, they are scrubbed down with a "glove or bag of mohair to act as a flesh brush" (luffa/loofah), then they must have astonished the staff when they were body scrubbed, the surface flesh scaled off, then asked to be washed with Western style soap! It's a challenge to be introduced to a new culture, try it and then ask to have it all done again in a Western manner, but consider how the soap made them unclean when they were as clean as possible! None-the-less there is a lot of description and some insight, and the innocent attitude of the separatist Brits comes through a lot. / The contemporary reviewer (unsigned) establishes first that Johnson's route is similar to that of James Morier who published his account in 1812, just six years earlier. The illustrations are complimented as striking and appropriate to the topic. Johnson is given added merit over Morier in that "[he] was more fortunate than his predecessor, since [when in Shapour] he penetrated to the cave in which [the ruin] was deposited, and actually ascertained the existence of the celebrated colossal statue [pl. p.43], of which he has furnished an elegant drawingâ ¦ The Work presents a very agreeable deviation from Morier's track, in the Colonel's irruption into the country of the untamable Don Cossacks, and his visit to the distinguished [Count] Platoff, the account of whose magnificent hospitality to British readers must afford peculiar gratificationâ ¦" â Â" The European Magazine, and London Review, October, 1818, pp. Seller Inventory # MEE1123
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