J. W. MASSIE, D.D., M.R.I.A.,

AUTHOR OF "CONTINENTAL INDIA," "IRELAND AND THE IRISH CHURCH," ETC.

LONDON:

JOHN SNOW, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

MDCCCXLVI.

TO THE MEMORY OF

JOHN HENDRIC AGNIS MASSIE,

MEDICAL STUDENT;

BORN OCTOBER 1826, DECEASED APRIL 1845:

A BELOVED Son, whose departure has been ingenuously mourned as his remembrance is affectionately and fondly cherished.

His parents' partial judgment had inspired too sanguine expectations of early maturity, the development of cultivated talent and generous principles in the pursuit of professional distinction, and the enjoyment of friendships which only the wise and good know how to appreciate. But after a protracted indisposition, which was mercifully cheered by the good hope of a blessed immortality through faith in the Redeemer, an overruling Providence, in the exercise of sovereign wisdom, gently dissolved the bonds of nature and the fellowships of kindred earth.

The first part of the following "Recollections" transcribed for the press, was prepared for his pleasure, and the whole volume was designed to have been devoted to

his advantage. Months passed of silence to the bereaved, whose sorrows were too full to suffer such application and thought as were congenial to the literary occupation.

It is now a father's desire,—perhaps some may think it is his frailty, to identify this volume and the affectionate remembrance of his child as a faint memorial of sympathies which have been endeared in time and will be sacred in eternity. He is no artiste, and makes not the pretension of one able to weave an enduring wreath for the tomb; but he finds a solace even in the effort to embalm these Recollections with the name of one so truly beloved by

Lower Broughton,

December 8th, 1845.

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

FRANCE and the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, had long presented attractions to my curiosity, and promised gratification to my predilections, which the angusta res domi only compelled me to resist. Necessity, however, was laid upon me, and medical prescription left me no option; while the affectionate solicitude of a generous and kind flock suffered no economical excuse to prevail, or prudential forethought to procrastinate a decision. Thus unexpectedly was I summoned to travel in lands which I had longed to explore, and to mingle among tribes for whose converse I was but little prepared.

The publication of my observations and inquiries was induced with almost as little anticipation. To gratify and, imperfectly, to requite the friends who had facilitated my journey, and ministered so effectually to my comfort and health, I commenced the delivery of a few lectures on the countries through which I had traversed. The subject expanded, and the lectures were increased. Brief summaries appeared in the local journals, and were transferred to several metropolitan periodicals; and their successive