A Narrative of Travels in North Africa.

First edition. Frontispiece folding map & 17 coloured plates. 4to. Contemporary diced calf. xii, 383pp. London, John Murray,

Inscribed by the author on the title. " W. Powles with the author's best regards"

Following Marryat's withdrawal from Joseph Ritchie's expedition, Lyon volunteered to accompany him and spent four months studying Arabic language and culture in preparation. The journey itself was to further British interests in central and northern Africa, however due to serious miscalculations in provisions and misjudgements in terms of saleable merchandise, the expedition faltered at Muzurk, where Ritchie died. Lyon continued on to Tegerry before making his way back to London. His "quick perception, literary gift and skill as a draughtsman, rendered the account of this abortive expedition ... one of the most entertaining books of African travel" (DNB, cf. Joseph Ritchie). Abbey Travel, 404.

Stock Code: 198927