Category: Travel Writing
Burton was a many-sided man. The following volume of posthumous essays reveals him in the aspect in which he was best known to the world――as a traveller and explorer. It will add comparatively little to the knowledge of the Burton student; to the general reader it will contain...
Burton was a many-sided man. The following volume of posthumous essays reveals him in the aspect in which he was best known to the world――as a traveller and explorer. It will ad...
2. Part 2At Alexandria also I provided a few necessaries for the pilgrimage: item――a change or two of clothing; a substantial leather money belt to carry my gold in; a little cotton bag...
3. Part 3Entering the “Garden” we fronted towards Meccah, prayed, recited two chapters of the Koran, and gave alms to the poor in gratitude to Allah for making it our fate to visit so ho...
4. Part 4Passing through a deep cutting, we entered the northern suburb of our destination. Then I made to the Shamiyah, or Syrian quarter, and finally, at 2 a.m., I found myself at the...
5. Part 5The sermon lasted about three hours, and when sunset was near, the preacher gave the israf, or permission to depart. Then began that risky part of the ceremony known as the “hur...
6. Part 6As usual in this country, where the gender masculine will not work, we had two cooks――tall, buxom, muscular dames, chocolate skinned and round faced. They had curiously soft and...
7. Part 7We slept comfortably on April 18th, agreeing to have a final shot at the gazelles before marching. Between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. we were roused by a rush of men like a roar of a sto...
8. Part 8On September 14th, our health much improved by the weather, we left the hilltop and began to descend the counterslope of the Usagara Mountains. For the first time since many day...
9. Part 9During my twenty-seven days of solitude the time sped quickly; it was chiefly spent in eating and drinking, dozing and smoking. Awaking at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., I lay anxiously expe...
10. Part 10An important part in my preparations was the kit, which in my case was represented as follows:――One India-rubber blanket, pierced in the centre for a poncho, and with buttons an...
11. Part 11After a few minutes’ delay to stand and gaze, we resumed the footpath way, whilst the mail-waggon, with wheels rough-locked, descended what appeared to be an impracticable slope...
12. Part 12The Prophet’s private office, where he was in the habit of transacting the greater part of his business, correcting his sermons, and conducting his correspondence, was a plain,...
13. Part 13And there is yet another point to be settled when speaking of the negro. In the United States every black man is a negro, or, to speak politely, a “cullard pussun.” Thus the nob...
14. Part 14A Dahoman king neglecting these funeral rites would have been looked upon as the most impious of men, and a powerful priesthood would soon have sent him to Ku-to-men on his own...
15. Part 15We were comfortably housed at Nelongo’s village, but Gidi and Nelongo were palavering all day, hammer and tongs. I noticed at Nelongo’s village, as I did in other places on the...
16. Part 16We left Porto da Lentra for Point Banana at 4.15 on the morning of September 27th. We had exchanged our smaller but fine canoe for a large one, and started with six hands and ca...
17. Part 17After this we proceeded easily down the river to Bom Successo, from which point I intended to visit Diamantina City. I had to land here and make my way to Diamantina on mule-bac...
18. Part 18We could travel to Damascus by night coach or by day diligence, preferring the latter, which enables us to see the land. At 4 a.m. we leave the harbour-town, and we shall reach...
19. Part 19If asked whether Palmyra is worth all this trouble, I should reply “No” and “Yes.” No, if you merely go there, stay two days, and return, especially after sighting noble Báalbak...