JOURNAL OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE SOURCE OF THE NILE

Second edition: 658 pages + 32 pages publisher’s catalogue, large folding map in a pocket in the back cover, engraved frontispiece portrait, tape marks on the title page,25 engraved plates and numerous other text illustrations, book binders ticket on the back paste down end paper, uncut edges, light foxing on the page edges, recent half brown leather with matching marbled boards, titled gilt on the spine, a good copy.

'The Journal appeared before the public on 16th December 1863. The title, considered in certain quarters as presumptuous, was, at best, an improvement on the unwieldy, if more comprehensive, original, Speke's Discovery of the Source of the Nile and Life in Africa with Captain Grant. To cater for the Christmas market, the first impression of 4000 copies was increased to 7500.' Page 189, 'Speke', by Alexander Maitland. This book continued to fuel the dispute between Speke and Burton which was to have culminated in the debate which was arranged to take place between the two men on 16th September 1864 but which never took place owing to Speke's accidental death the day before.