'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎2] (43/905)

2
OBJECTS OF THE WORK.
[CHAP. I.
from the circumstances which led to their becoming objects
of particular attention during the late Expedition.
^ Researchealn In that division of the work it is likewise intended to give
1830, &c. a succinct account of my individual journeys and researches
in the same countries during the years 1830, 1831, and 1832.
And in the succeeding, or principal division, there will be
given a detailed relation of the Expedition which was under-
SL Expe ' taken 111 tlle y ears 1835 ' 1836 5 and 1837, in consequence of
the results obtained from the researches previously made in
that part of Asia.
Labouring under the disadvantage of impaired health, and
being doubtful of my fitness for the present undertaking, I
should have preferred that the Government h^d permitted
the materials to be placed in hands more able, and conse
quently more likely to do them justice than mine; but, as
this has been decided otherwise, I proceed to acquit myself,
to the best of my ability, of the task which it has fallen to
my lot to perform ; and I apply to it the less unwillingly, as
it will afford me an opportunity of showing how the public
money, as well as the other means so liberally placed at my
disposal, were employed during the progress of the Expe
dition.
accompithed. 1 ma y ^e state, that through the unwearied exertions of
the officers and men, every end attainable by human skill and
industry was accomplished; and if, in the following pages,
I succeed in doing justice to those who were placed under my
direction, the reader will at least perceive that no commander
was ever better supported throughout an arduous and novel
enterprise. It is not surprising, therefore, that every diffi
culty was successfully overcome; and, in recording with no
common degree of gratitude, the support which was so cor-
diaHy given to me, I am free to acknowledge that to me
belongs the blame for whatever may seem to have been
neglected, or in any way deficient, in the prosecution of the
objects contemplated in the plan of the Expedition. But,
leaving my conduct in this respect to be judged by the im
partial reader, I proceed immediately to consider the extensive
basins forming the principal water-courses of Western Asia.