A copiously illustrated descriptive work of the Danube from its source to the Black Sea. The focus is on the major cities and archaeological sites along the way, including Ulm, Straubing, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Orsova, Silistra, and the mouth of the Danube. The extra plate is of 'Dolma-Batchè (from the Necropolis of Pera)'.

Dr. William Beattie (1793-1875) was a Scottish physician, and poet. He was frequently summoned by the Duke of Clarence (afterwards William IV) to accompany him and his family in a medical capacity on their visits to Germany. During his trips he took a medical interest in the beneficial properties of German spas. During these tours with the duke he ingratiated himself with Charlotte, the Queen of Wurtemberg and Princess Royal of Great Britain. When she visited England he was called to attend her at Hampton Court and Windsor. He repaid her majesty's good opinion with a flattering memoir of her in 1829. The only recompense Dr. Beattie ever received for his services to the Duke of Clarence, extending over fourteen years, were a service of silver plate and a letter certifying him to be 'a perfect gentleman'. He also travelled and studied in Paris, Italy, Switzerland, and the Rhine.

Beattie was a frequent contributor to periodicals, writer of poems, and authored a series of descriptive and historical works, of which this work is one, illustrated by his friend and fellow traveller William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854). Bartlett was well-known for his engravings, particularly of America. Instead of producing his works in oil, as illustrators typically would, he created sepia drawings in the exact size and scale that they would be engraved, giving him much greater artistic control over the finished article.

4to (26.5 x 22.5 cm); additional engraved vignette title, 82 engraved plates including frontispiece and an extra plate not in binder's instructions, 2 maps, further in-text engravings, discreet ownership inscription to first publisher's blank, slight marginal toning but plate images unaffected; contemporary half red morocco, marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt in five gilt compartments, all edges and endpapers marbled, boards a little rubbed, otherwise a very good copy; iv, 236 pp.