Turkey, Russia, and Black Sea, and Circassia.
H. Warren (Colour illustrations) London: George Routledge & Co., 1854. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Hardcover. x, [2], 412 pages. Appendix: several vocabulary. Folding map (tears and partially repaired) inside back cover. With coloured illustrations, numerous engravings, and a map. Ex-library with usual library markings. Cover has wear and soiling. Some page discoloration. The author was noted for several decades for his travel narratives in these areas. Perhaps precipitated by renewed interest on account of the concerns that led to the Crimean War, this volume is essentially a composite narrative of Spencer's previous travelogues. The portion of this book which covers Spencer's journey to Circassia in particular, is a rephrasing of his 1837 Travels in Circassia. This is enhanced with a new set of plates, chromolithographed with the state of the art Baxter process (here licensed by W. Dickes and Co.) and a large folding map titled 'Russia & Turkey. Strategical Map. Shewing the Position of the Russian & Turkish Forces, with the Route of the Russian Armies in the War of 1828-9.' The introduction speaks out vehemently against Russian imperialism; see page iv: "Unhappily, this dread of the advance of democratic principles, and its paralysing influence on the policy of the European powers, has enabled Russia, year after year, to triumph over the rights of nations, sweep vast provinces and entire kingdoms from the face of the world, and rule as dictators in the cabinets of every state in Europe and Asia". Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI. Russia--The Black Sea--Circassia--Progress of Russia in the East--Observations upon the war in the Caucasus--Facility of attacking Russia on the Black Sea-- Public opinion in Europe with reference to Russia--Dangers to be apprehended to the civilization and independence of Europe, from Russia. "History has rarely had to record anything more marvellous than the change of feeling that has taken place in the public mind of Europe within the last few months. Christian and Mahometan, despot and republican, priest and liberal, all agreeing--all uniting upon one point--how, or by what means, the aggression of Russia might most effectually be resisted. -What a proud moment for the barbarians of the North, who little more than a century ago were scarcely known by name! and how humiliating to Europe! As we f are now about to enter the dominions of the mighty autocrat that all the world fears, we shall commence our narrative with a glance at the Black Sea, and its connection with the present war. Having already written a series of articles on the Eastern question in the "United Service Magazine," we shall extract a portion of that entitled the "Black Sea," * because we could not write anything that would better convey our ideas, or give the reader a more correct conception of the political and social state of the various races that inhabit its shores, and of the important influence that France and England may there exercise in a war with Russia. The war at present raging between Turkey and Russia, to which we had occasion so frequently to allude, is confessedly of the last importance to the general interests of Europe." Condition: Fair.
Keywords: Crimea, Crimean War, Russia, Turkey, Black Sea, Circassia, Imperialism, Travel, Adventure, Eastern Question
[Book #81860]
Price: $750.00