If critics are displeased with it in its present form, I beg to observe
that it is not totally devoid of interest, and that it contains something
useful. Several of the unfortunate gentlemen who went out to explore the
Congo were thankful for the instructions they found in it; and Sir Joseph
Banks, on sending back the journal, said in his letter: "I return your
journal with abundant thanks for the very instructive lesson you have
favoured us with this morning, which far excelled, in real utility,
everything I have hitherto seen." And in another letter he says: "I hear
with particular pleasure your intention of resuming your interesting
travels, to which natural history has already been so much indebted." And
again: "I am sorry you did not deposit some part of your last harvest of
birds in the British Museum, that your name might become familiar to
naturalists and your unrivalled skill in preserving birds be made known to
the public." And again: "You certainly have talents to set forth a book
which will improve and extend materially the bounds of natural science."

Sir Joseph never read the third adventure. Whilst I was engaged in it,
death robbed England of one of her most valuable subjects and deprived the
Royal Society of its brightest ornament.



CONTENTS


INTRODUCTION

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION