suspension. of all labour, gave something of mystery and
awe to the scene that we shall long remember.

During the following months I occupied myself partly
in revising my notes, and arranging these pages; and partly
in making myself acquainted, as much as possible, with
the literature of the country.

While reading and transcribing my notes, I underwent
a strict self-examination. I passed in review all I had seen,
all I had felt, and scrupulously challenged every expression
of disapprobation; the result was, that I omitted in tran-
scription much that I had written, as containing unnecessary
details of things which had displeased me; yet, as I did so, I
felt strongly that there was no exaggeration in them; but
such details, though true, might be ill-natured, and I re-
tained no more than were necessary to convey the general
impressions I received. While thus reviewing my notes, I
discovered that many points, which all scribbling travellers
are expected to notice, had been omitted; but a few pages
of miscellaneous observations will, I think, supply all that
can be expected from so idle a pen.

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