Burton, Richard F. ; James M'Queen

The Nile Basin

Hardcover, London: Tinsley Brothers, 1864. First Edition. Very Good-. Maps missing, as is the case for nearly all available copies. Bound in publisher's pebbled brown cloth. Binding has been repaired and the spine is much newer than the boards which are original. Endpapers original, but for the repairs. This book is divided into 3 parts - the first 30 pages are a Prefatory by Burton, the second 35 are Lake Tanganykia also by Burton, and the last 127 pages are a review of Speke's Discovery of the Source of the Nile by M'Queen. Burton's portion of the book is a defense of his claim that Lake Tanganyika was the source of the Nile, it is also an attack on Speke's claim that Lake Victoria was the source. Burton was a much better writer, speaker, and scientist than Speke and the two were scheduled to debate the topic on September 16, 1864. Speke died on the 15th, perhaps by suicide. We now know that Speke was correct and Burton wrong. Speke's portion of this book is an enlargement of a Memoir he read before the Royal Geographical Society on November 14, 1864. The portion by M'Queen is a very harsh review of Speke's book Discovery of the Source of the Nile. Penzer tells us this book was scarce when he wrote in 1923. Much info on the Burton/Speke falling out in Howgego. Corners bumped and rubbed with loss of cloth, especially to upper front corner. Boards a bit faded and soiled. Previous owner name on front pastedown. Ships same or next business day well protected in a box. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 195 pages. [Item #79294]

Price: $300.00