Voyage à l'île de Ceylan fait dans les années 1797 à 1800 ; contenant l'histoire, la géographie et la description des moeurs des habitans, ainsi que celle des productions naturelles du pays ; par Robert Percival ... suivi de la relation d'une ambassade envoyée, en 1800, au roi de Candy ; orné de plusieurs planches, et d'une carte de l'île de Ceylan, dressée par M. Arrowsmith, d'après l'original appartenant à la Compagnie des Indes Orientaéles. Traduit de l'anglais par P.F. Henry

1803 1st ed Robert Percival Voyages CEYLON Dutch Torture MAPS 2v SET Sri Lanka

Robert Percival was an 18th-century Irish army officer who is best known for his extensive voyage to the Island of Ceylon, or Sri Lanka. This voyage, which began in 1797, was an important voyage as it brought new discoveries to Great Britain prior to Britain's rule of the island. Percival specifically outlined manners and customs of locals, as well as climate and natural science discoveries.

According to the DNB on this work, Percival

"notices the effects of the Portuguese and Dutch rule, which looked as if it tried to counteract as much as possible the natural advantages of the island. He gives various instances of Dutch cruelty and treachery, and attempts to characterize three classes of 'natives' – the Cingalese, the Candians, and the Malays. The pearl fishery, the town and forts of Columbo, the salt works of the island, the staple commodity of cinnamon, above all, the inland capital of Candy, are noticed in other chapters."

This work also includes a section detailing the events of Robert Knox's captivity on the island.

This rare early 19th-century first French edition was translated out of the original English by Pierre François Henry.

Item number: #6461

Price: $499

PERCIVAL, Robert

Voyage à l'île de Ceylan fait dans les années 1797 à 1800 ; contenant l'histoire, la géographie et la description des moeurs des habitans, ainsi que celle des productions naturelles du pays ; par Robert Percival ... suivi de la relation d'une ambassade envoyée, en 1800, au roi de Candy ; orné de plusieurs planches, et d'une carte de l'île de Ceylan, dressée par M. Arrowsmith, d'après l'original appartenant à la Compagnie des Indes Orientaéles. Traduit de l'anglais par P.F. Henry

Paris : Dentu, imprimeur-libraire, palais du tribunal, galeries de bois, n° 240. An XI, 1803. First French edition.

Details:

· Collation: Complete with all pages

o 2 volumes

- Vol 1 – [4], [6], 316

- Vol 2 – [4], 304

- Illustrated with four folding maps by Arrowsmith

· References: DNB, XLIV p.382

· Language: French

· Binding: Leather; tight and secure

· Size: ~8in X 5in (20cm x 12.5cm)

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6461

Photos available upon request.