Glaisher, F.R.S., has again assisted me in meteorology;
and I am gratified that a few chapters have
passed under the eye of that eminent geographer
of Central Asia, Colonel Yule, C.B. In mentioning
these distinguished names, however, I wish it to be
understood that their revision has been in many
cases of a general character only, and consequently
that for any mistakes that may remain, it is I who
am responsible, and not they.
Turkistan has not many prisons, but in the chapters
devoted to this subject I have given an accurate
account of what came under my observation; and I
have also answered the few objections, that were
raised to my former account of the penal institutions
of Siberia so far as they seemed to claim attention.
Biblical students will observe references throughout
the work to Scripture texts. Their origin was on
this wise. Before commencing my desert journey,
I had read all the books in my trunk, and it
occurred to me to utilize vacant time by marking
in a pocket Bible the passages that might be
illustrated from my travels. I remembered that
Robert Stephens is said to have divided the New
Testament into verses during a journey on horseback
from Paris to Lyons ; 50 I took a leaf from
his book, while on the back of a camel. In the
case of some of the texts referred to, my remarks
may at first sight seem superfluous, because the
Semitic customs of Palestine and Western Asia have
long ago been illustrated in connection with Bible
history. I would remind the reader, however, that
I travelled as far from Palestine on the east as
London is on the w e s t ; and among an Iranian population,
many of whose customs are those portrayed
|n the Sacred Books, especially those written during
¡he Captivity. In China we have an instance of
ai colony of Jews losing their religion and language,
and, in the course of centuries, becoming so intermingled
with their neighbours as to be undis-
tinguishable, I believe, even by their physiognomy.
¡Now, I do not maintain that a similar fate has
befallen the “ lost ten tribes” in Central Asia; nevertheless,
I found Bible customs there, which, if not
traced to some remote origin common also to those
i f the Jews, might well be imagined as brought
there b.y children of Abraham. No previous traveller
¿mown to me has illustrated Scripture from these
ljttle-known regions; and if I sometimes appear to
Jbe over-keen in suggesting resemblances, it is because
I have regarded them, so far as they are true, as
testimony from a new source.
I These references have been looked over by the
■Rev. Canon R. Girdlestone. This addition, however,
to the foregoing names does not exhaust my list of
helpers. Mr. Hyde Clarke, F .S .S ., has given me
literary assistance, and so has the Rev. A. E.
■Hodgson, B.A., as well as my neighbour, Mr. Slater,
■F.G.5 . ; and there are others also to whom I am
■similarly indebted, but who would prefer their names
■not being mentioned.