The sustentation of the body, and the repairing of its waste by an adequate supply of wholesome and nutritious daily food, is a subject of general importance, and necessarily occupies a large share of attention. But all nations have not the advantages of skilful cattle-breeders, slaughter-houses, well-supplied meat and poultry markets, and butchers’ shops graced with all the tempting joints of beef, mutton, and pork, which gladden the eyes of an Englishman, and keep up his stamina for labo...

The Curiosities of Food; or, The Dainties and Delicacies of Different Nations Obtained from the Animal Kingdom by Peter Lund Simmonds is a fascinating exploration into the diverse and often surprising world of culinary traditions from around the globe. First published in the 19th century, this book delves into the myriad ways in which different cultures utilize animals for food, highlighting both the common and the extraordinary. Simmonds takes readers on a journey through continents and c...

Peter Lund Simmonds, an outstanding 19th-century author, affords a tasty exploration of world gastronomy in his masterful work, "The Curiosities of Food: Or, The Dainties and Delicacies of Different Nations Obtained from the Animal Kingdom." Simmonds, an English author and agriculturalist, invites readers on a charming journey via the various culinary landscapes of diverse cultures. In this illuminating tome, the subtitle, "Or The Dainties And Delicacies Of Different Nations Obtained From ...

Originally published in London in 1859, this rare treasure of culinary history was recently brought to light in the award-winning Oxford Companion to Food, whose author, Alan Davidson, used it as a primary reference in researching some of the more obscure foodstuffs consumed across the globe. Davidson writes that "[CURIOSITIES] is in all probability the first attempt to write a general worldwide survey of animal products." Long out of print and scarce even in the antiquarian market, this l...

Charles Waterton (1782-1865) was an English naturalist, plantation overseer and explorer best known for his pioneering work regarding conservation. Waterton was a British Catholic, educated at Stonyhurst College. He traveled to British Guiana in 1804 to take charge of his uncle’s slave plantations near Georgetown. Between 1812 and 1824 he made four expeditions into the wilderness, reaching Brazil walking barefooted during the rainy season. His discoveries are described in his book, “Wander...

The Voyage of the Beagle is a title commonly given to the book written by Charles Darwin as his Journal and Remarks, bringing him considerable fame and respect. The title refers to the second survey expedition of the ship HMS Beagle, which set sail from Plymouth Sound on 27 December 1831 under the command of Captain Robert FitzRoy, R.N..While the expedition was originally planned to last two years, it lasted almost five—the Beagle did not return until 2 October 1836. Darwin spent m...

According to Wikipedia: "Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton KCMG FRGS (19 March 1821 20 October 1890) was a British explorer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer and diplomat. He was known for his travels and explorations within Asia, Africa and the Americas as well as his extraordinary knowledge of languages and cultures. According to one count, he spoke 29 European, Asian, and African languages. Burton's best-known achievements include trave...

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Journal of Researches by Charles Darwin - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Charles Darwin’.Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition...

Colombo— Dullness of the Town— Cinnamon Garden— A Cingalese Appo— Ceylon Sport— Jungle Fever— Newera Ellia— Energy of Sir E. Barnes— Influence of the Governor— Projected Improvements.

It was in the year 1845 that the spirit of wandering allured me toward Ceylon: little did I imagine at that time that I should eventually become a settler. The descriptions of its sports, and the tales of hairbreadth escapes from elephants, which I had read in various publications, were sources of attraction against which I strove in vain; and I at length determined upon the very wild idea of spending twelve months in Ceylon jungles. It is said that the delights of pleasures in anticipatio...

In "A Voyage to New Holland, Etc. in the Year 1699," William Dampier presents a meticulously detailed account of his explorations in Australia and the surrounding regions. Through a blend of firsthand observations and vivid descriptions, Dampier's narrative captures the natural world, indigenous cultures, and the burgeoning European interest in the Pacific. The literary style combines elements of travel writing and scientific observation, reflecting the burgeoning Enlightenment ideals of c...

First published in 1846. "Of the Australian shores, the North-western was the least known, and became, towards the close of the year 1836, a subject of much geographical speculation. Former navigators were almost unanimous in believing that the deep bays known to indent a large portion of this coast, received the waters of extensive rivers, the discovery of which would not only open a route to the interior, but afford facilities for colonizing a part of Australia, so near our East Indian t...