and cannot deteriorate from its excellence. There, indeed, I have
not presumed to make the slightest alteration, not even by compressing
the Supplement into the body of the work ; feeling perfectly
assured, that I had no right to deprive the public of one
word, and that all attempts to improve would have been fruitless.
For the second part I claim indulgence, but I do not ask it
from the consideration that I am a widow with three orphans to
m ain tain and educate; for, in my opinion, these circumstances
form the strongest stimulus to exertion. I have only to entreat
the public to consider, that I make my appearance as -an
Authoress for the first, time, and. deprived of the aid which would
have ensured me success. Accustomed to submit every word and
action to my husband, I now feel a diffidence in my own abilities,
which fetters rather than promotes my best endeavours, ;
When I recollect the painful struggles, the numerous privations,
the years of intense study, which preceded Mr. Bowdich’s third
voyage to Africa; when I reflect, that every hope, every wish, that
bound us to Europe was sacrificed ; that all personal property, and
the greatest bodily and mental exertions were devoted to this one
cherished object; and when I look at the last part of the volume,
to which this is the Preface, I feel concerned at the little: apparent
result. But when I request my readers to bear in mind, that the
little that has been done was completed in the short space of a
month, I think they will agree with me, that it is a favourable
specimen of what might have been effected, had Mr. Bowdich’s life
been prolonged,
Although I may deem it necessary to control my feelings in
other respects, to the sentiments of gratitude there need be no
restraint; and to those who sympathized with me in my affliction,
and met my returning orphans with their bounty, let me offer
these sentiments, with an assurance, that they will never be effaced
from my memory, unless the events which occasioned them can
also be obliterated.