A Book of Voyages edited by Patrick O’Brian
“There are some men, who will scarce believe anything but what they see, and at the same time will not stir an inch from home to be inform’d.
These sort of creatures are not to be satisfied as to the credibility of any thing beyond their own capacities. But for those who only seek a reasonable testimony and probability to believe things…”
-The Translator of Hamel
From Lady Elizabeth Craven’s journey through the Crimea to the city of Constantinople to Captain Boyce’s account of how he survived the wreck of the merchant ship Luxborough. From tales of Oriental splendor and exotic locals to daring accounts of harrowing travels and miraculous survivals.
Travel broadens the mind, as the saying goes, but it says nothing about how wondrous (and dangerous) it can really be.