The Life and Correspondence of Henry Salt, Esq.: Volume 2
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)

9781108074681, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 May 2014

456 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.58 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 2 describes Salt's later career in Egypt, as a diplomat and especially as a pioneering archaeologist, as well as his negotiations over the future of his own spectacular collection of Egyptian artefacts.

1. Mr Salt's 'Plain statement of facts' relative to Belzoni
2. Discoveries of Belzoni under the auspices of Mr Salt
3. Salt's eulogium on the colouring of the ancient Egyptians
4. Caviglia's examination of the numerous ruins and tumuli on the banks of the Nile
5. Salt invites Pearce to join him in Egypt
6. Pearce acts as major domo in the consular house during Mr Salt's absence
7. Salt is unable to avail himself of his leave of absence
8. Unsettled state of Turkey
9. Mr Salt's severe trials in the year 1824
10. Salt's sufferings under disease and sorrow
11. Mr Coffin's account of the last illness and death of Mr Salt
12. Transactions respecting the Egyptian antiquities
Egypt: a poem
Index.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]