A Voyage to Cochinchina, in the years 1792 and 1793.

the first english illustrated work on Vietnam

The first English illustrated work on Cochin-China, now southern Vietnam, with beautiful colour plates.

Barrow accompanied the Earl Macartney as official interpreter to the embassy to the Emperor of China. The voyage proceeded by way of Madeira, the Canary Islands and Rio de Janeiro, including a description of that city and Brazil in general - 'the view of Rio's Aqueduct (Arcos de Carioca) is very beautiful' (BdM) - before rounding the Cape and reaching Cochin-China after stopping at Batavia. The detailed information on Cochin-China is taken from a manuscript account by a French naval officer, Captain Barissy, who had collected much accurate information.

A supplementary article on the African portion of Barrow's work gives an account of an overland expedition into Bechuanaland from Cape Town and is accompanied by a fine map of the country and four aquatints by Samuel Daniell.

First edition; 4to (27.5 x 21.5 cm); 19 hand-coloured aquatint plates after S. Daniell and W. Alexander, and two engraved folding maps, one hand-coloured, the other with route marked by hand in red, split to fold of coastal profile of Rio de Janeiro repaired, first plate a little trimmed, small hole to pages 173 to 176 with a word or two affected on each page, bookplate to front pastedown; contemporary speckled calf boards, rebacked, gilt rolled boards with gilt monogram of Military Depot to upper board, gilt spine in six compartments with gilt morocco lettering piece, extremities a little rubbed, a very good copy; xviii, [2], 447 pp.

Abbey (Travel), 514; BdM;, I p88; Hill, 66; Mendelssohn I, p.89; Tooley 86.