NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN JAMES FAWCKNER'S TRAVELS ON THE COAST OF BENIN, WEST AFRICA

First Edition: viii, 128 pages, silhouette portrait pasted opposite the title page possibly of Fawckner, contemporary leather with marbled paper sides very worn and rubbed, pages stained in the margins throughout, scarce. 

Preface: 

‘The following pages contain the Narrative of CAPTAIN JAMES FAWCKNER's sufferings and sojourn among the tribes of Western Africa, in 1825. The work is published by subscription, and will doubtless be interesting principally to his friends and the subscribers who have so kindly assisted in bringing it out. 

‘To the public, however, it is presumed, the faithful account it contains of the manners and customs of those African tribes hitherto so little known; as well as the equally faithful description of that part of the globe which has been but little explored, will prove interesting and instructive. 

‘The manuscript was prepared, from the original notes and papers, by a friend, more than two years since, without the most remote idea of its ever being published: the heavy calamity, however, which deprived Captain F. of the principal part of his property, suggested the idea of repairing his loss, in some measure, by publishing the M.S. which that individual had written solely for his own information and amusement; precisely in the form in which he left it, he sends it forth for the benefit of his respected friend.’