BARROW (John). - Lot 52

BARROW (John). Voyage à la Cochinchine, par les îles de Madère, de Ténériffe, et du Cap Verd, le Brésil et l'île de Java, contenant des Renseignemens nouveaux et authenthiques sur l'Etat naturel et civil de ces divers Pays; accompagné de la Relation officielle d'un Voyage au pays des Boushouanas, dans l'intérieur de l'Afrique australe. Paris: Arthus-Bertrand, 1807. - 2 volumes in-8, 200 x 118 and an atlas in-4, 280 x 212 : xiv, 406 pp. (1 f.) ; (2 ff.), 371 pp. ; (2 ff.), 18 plates. Rooted calf, gilt ring roulette framing the boards, smooth spine decorated with gilt leaves and flowers, inner gilt roulette, gilt edges (period binding). First edition of the translation by geographer Conrad Malte-Brun (1775-1826) of the account of the voyage to Cochinchina by traveler and geographer John Barrow (1764-1848), then attached to Lord Macartney's British embassy in China. In his translation, Malte-Brun makes significant changes and additions, both in terms of form and content. In the fifth chapter, devoted to Brazil, he leaves out a digression on the freedom of the Blacks and the expedition to Saint-Domingue, which he deems to have no new contribution, with the exception of an extract from a proclamation by Dessalines, Emperor of Haiti. This text, although faithfully quoted, is criticized for its violent tone and accusations against Napoleon and Leclerc. Malte-Brun justifies this deletion by the desire to spare the reader unnecessary declamations, while reaffirming his independence of mind with regard to Barrow's opinions. In place of these developments, Malte-Brun inserts a memoir on Brazil, based on the best Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch sources, which he presents as the most complete and reliable supplement ever published on this country. The description of Cochinchina, which occupies the last three chapters, is the heart of Barrow's work. Malte-Brun, recognizing the richness and precision of this account, makes no changes to it, apart from adding a few details drawn from Loureiro's Portuguese memoirs and Valentyn's immense Dutch work, sources that were not easily accessible and which Barrow had not been able to consult. A complete copy of the atlas comprising 18 plates, including a "Sketch of the city and port of Rio de Janeiro", a map of southern Africa, two color botanical engravings and various views, all engraved by P. F. Tardieu. A fine copy, very well preserved. Old private library label at top of spines.