The Abyssinian traveller

Matthew Darly

The Abyssinian traveller

London, M. Darly The Strand  Dec 9^th.  1775

Etching

250 x 175 mm

£160

A Whole Length standing portrait (caricatured) in profile to the right. of James Bruce (1730-94). In his left hand he holds out an open book, “Travels into Abyssinia by … “. His hat is under his right. arm. Beneath the title is etched:

“O Thou whose active search has dar’d explore
Far distant Realms and Climes unknown before;
Thy toils now finishd and thy dangers past,
Spite of Thy self we fix thee here at last.

Bruce had recently returned to England, where he was at first received with great attention which soon gave way to scepticism and dislike; this led to the postponement of the publication of his travels till 1790.

BM 5369