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One of the most energetic, far-seeing, and persevering of all explorers was John Lewis Burckhardt. He was of an eminent family settled at Basle, who were rained by the troubles consequent upon the overrunning of Europe by the troops of the French Republic. Coming to England in 1806, young Burckhardt brought letters of introduction to Sir Joseph Banks, which led to his being selected by a learned society to travel in the East for the extension of our knowledge of the geography of that continent.

The natural and acquired talents of Burckhardt, the ardour with which he embraced the idea, and his naturally vigorous constitution, marked him out as a fit person for undertaking the perils of travel in unknown countries; but as yet he was little prepared for the duties of a scientific explorer. Convinced himself of this fact, Burckhardt set to work to prepare himself with a perseverance which strongly indicates the energy of the man. He immediately began to apply himself to the difficult study of the Arabic language, and of those branches of science which were likely to be most useful to him in his travels. He allowed his beard to grow, and began to wear the Oriental dress even before he left England—being determined to accustom himself to appear at ease in that attire. Meanwhile he attended lectures both in London and Cambridge, on chemistry, astronomy, mineralogy, medicine and surgery, and in the intervals of his studies exercised himself by long