Sketches representing the native tribes, animals, and scenery of Southern Africa / from drawings made by the late Mr. Samuel Daniell ; engraved by William Daniell.

  • Daniell, Samuel, 1775-1811.
Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sketches representing the native tribes, animals, and scenery of Southern Africa / from drawings made by the late Mr. Samuel Daniell ; engraved by William Daniell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    From the avidity with which the Public is disposed to receive any information that may tend to increase the scanty knowledge we possess of the interior of Africa, or to elucidate the Natural History of that interesting quarter of the Globe, it is not unreasonable to presume, that the series of Engravings now submitted to its judgement will be found to merit a share of approbation. Their claims to the favourable notice of the Public, the Editor is aware, must rest on more substantial grounds than his affectionate regard for the memory of a Brother, whose early loss he has to deplore : divesting himself, therefore, of every consideration arising from such feelings, he takes the liberty to say that Mr. Samuel Daniell devoted himself early in life to the drawing of objects of Natural History; and, in order to extend the field of his research, he went to the Cape of Good Hope, from whence he accompanied Dr. Somer¬ ville on two expeditions into the interior of the country. The contents of his Portfolios evince the assiduity with which he pursued his favourite object, while many competent judges have borne ample testimony to the fidelity of his pencil. He was indefatigable in the pursuit of the various subjects he has delineated ; and it was his constant care to see the animals alive, that he might make himself master of their actions and habits. To the knowledge acquired in this way, he added all that could be obtained in the country which produced the animals he has represented, by conversation with the peasants and natives. For the greater number of illustrative notices in this Work (which will doubtless be found highly interesting) the Editor has to express his obligations to Dr. Somerville and Mr. Barrow: and he has merely to add with respect to the Engravings, that he has endeavoured to transfuse into them the spirit of the originals by a process which appeared to him best calculated for the attainment of that object.