Copy 1, Volume 1

Travels in Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark. Illustrated with charts and engravings / By William Coxe.

  • William Coxe
Date:
1802
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Travels in Poland, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark. Illustrated with charts and engravings / By William Coxe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/448 (page 5)
    PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION OF 1784. * ^HESE volumes contain the refult of that intelli- gence which I collected, and thofe obfervations which occurred, during my travels through the northern kingdoms of Europe; and I think it my duty to hate my authorities. In regard to Poland, I was honoured with information from perfons of the high eft rank and authority; and % fortunately obtained polieiiion of Tome original letters w ritten from Warfaw, before and during the Partition, which have enabled me to throw a confiderable light over that interefting period, I prefume, therefore, that the account of Poland comprehends many particulars, which have not been hitherto prefented to the public. With refpecf to Ruffia, as the Emprefs herfelf deigned to anfwer fome queries relative to the fcate of the public prifons#; this gracious condefcenfion in fo great a fo- vereign could not but facilitate my further inquiries. To this 1 muft add, that the late celebrated hiftorian, Mr. Muller, favoured me with various communications on fome of the moll important and intricate parts of the Ruffian annals; and pointed out to me the molt approv- ed writers on that empire. The nature of the Swedifh government rendered the fources of information eafy of accefs: and, fince my re- turn to England, feveral Swedifh gentlemen, well verfed in the conftitution of their country, have fupplied much additional intelligence. * See voh ITT. p. i ]2, A 8 As