written in the heart of abyssinia, amidst manifold interruptions and disadvantages, the following pages will, in many respects, be found imperfect. their chief recommendation must be sought in the fact of their embodying a detail of efforts zealously directed, under the auspices of a liberal government, towards the establishment of a more intimate connexion with a christian people, who know even less of the world than the world knows of them,—towards the extension of the bounds of geographical and scientific knowledge, the advancement of the best interests of commerce, and the amelioration of the lot of some of the least favoured portions of the human race.
an obvious necessity for the introduction of the foregoing extract from his instructions will exonerate the author from an intention to appropriate as his due the very gratifying encomium passed upon his previous exertions in southern africa. as a public servant, the freedom of his pen has now in some measure been curtailed; but his official position and resources, added to the able assistance placed at his command, have, on the other hand, extended more than commensurate advantages.
to captain douglas graham, his accomplished and early friend, and principal assistant, he acknowledges himself most especially indebted, for the aid of a head and of a pen, such as are not often to be found united.
the exertions of assistant-surgeon kirk alleviated incalculable human suffering; and his perseverance, although long opposed by an unfavourable climate, carried through a series of magnetic and astronomical observations of the highest importance to abyssinian geography.
an indefatigable devotion to the cause of science, added to the experience gained during previous wanderings in palestine, eminently adapted the learned dr roth to discharge the arduous functions of natural historian to the mission; and the splendid collection realised, together with the researches embodied in the various appendices to these volumes, will afford the fullest evidence of his industry and success.
to all who were associated with himself, in view to the better attainment of the objects contemplated, the author here offers his warm acknowledgments for the cheerfulness displayed under trials and privations. of the able assistance of some he was unavoidably deprived during an early period of the service. the disappointment thus involved in his own person has been fully equal to that experienced by themselves; but they must be sensible that their hardships have not been undergone in vain, and that they too have accomplished their share in the undertaking, so far as fortune permitted.
to the reverend dr krapf the thanks of government have already been conveyed, for the valuable co-operation derived from his extended acquaintance with the languages of abyssinia. but the author gladly avails himself of this opportunity publicly to record his personal sense of obligation to the active and pious missionary of the church of england, whose kindness from the first arrival of the embassy on the frontiers of shoa, to the date of his own departure for cairo, was unremitting.
by no tribute of his own could the writer of these volumes extend the well-deserved reputation of mcqueen’s geographical survey. it will nevertheless be satisfactory to one who takes rank among the foremost benefactors of the oppressed “children of the sun,” to receive the additional testimony which is due to the undeviating accuracy of theories and conclusions founded upon years of patient and honest investigation; and this the author unhesitatingly records, in so far as the north-eastern portions of africa have come within the observation of the embassy which he has the honour to conduct.
ankóber, 1st january, 1843.
