PREFACE.

THIS book is simply a record of travels, undertaken for no purpose but my own amusement; but as, in the course of so long a ramble, I visited many places of interest, and penetrated to spots not famliiar to Europeans, I venture to give the impressions of my wanderings, such as they are, to the world, without apologizing for my temerity. We live in an age when almost every one travels; and perhaps there is so much more reason for publishing the result of our experiences and observations, as it is not only interesting, as far as it goes, to the few who remain at home, but may afford information to those who follow in our steps. I cannot but hope that my book may be useful in at least the latter respect; and, as regards the other, the public will no doubt award it, in the end, as much favour as it can reasonably claim.

The illustrations have been drawn by myself, from sketches made amidst the various scenes represented; and, therefore, on myself alone rests the whole responsibility of the production.

CONGHAM, NORFOLK,

NOVEMBER, 1853.

R. E.