The Life and Correspondence of Henry Salt, Esq.: Volume 1
His Britannic Majesty's Late Consul General in Egypt

This two-volume biography of the antiquary Henry Salt (1780–1827), published in 1834, describes his work in Abyssinia and Egypt.

John James Halls (Author)

9781108074674, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 May 2014

526 pages
21.6 x 14 x 3 cm, 0.66 kg

The traveller and antiquary Henry Salt (1780–1827) hoped to become a portrait painter, but recognised his own limitations, and instead entered the employment of Viscount Valentia, embarking with him on an eastern tour in 1802. In 1805, Valentia sent him on a mission to improve relations with the rulers of Abyssinia. After a second expedition, this time on behalf of the British government, in which he made observations and collections of the local flora and fauna, he was appointed consul-general to Egypt, and in his spare time carried out excavations at Thebes and Abu Simbel. This two-volume work was published in 1834 by Salt's close friend, the painter J. J. Halls (1776–1853). Volume 1 tells the story of Salt's early life and his career up to the famous removal of the colossal statue of Ramesses II ('Ozymandias') from Thebes to the British Museum in 1816.

Dedication
To the reader
1. Birth of Mr Salt
2. Mr Hoppner's liberality
3. Salt's first acquaintance with Lord Valentia
4. Quit Bombay
5. Altered conduct of the Ras
6. Salt's arrival in London
7. Salt's arrival at Madeira
8. Arrival at Massowah
9. Salt's conference with the Ras on the subject of his mission
10. Salt's unexpected appearance at the author's house
11. Salt visits his father and other relatives in Lichfield
12. Salt's illness
13. Salt becomes a member of the British and Foreign Bible Society
14. Salt joins Mr Justice Bosanquet on a tour to Wales
15. Salt's letters to Lord Valentia on the subject of his intended publication
16. Salt's first letter after leaving England
17. Salt's letter from Malta to his sister
18. Salt's correspondence with Pearce.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]