Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808

THROUGH
AND
IN THE YEARS 1807 AND 1808,
BY A ROUTE NEVER BEFORE PERFORMED, BEING ALONG THE BANKS OF
THROUGH THE GREATER PART OF THEIR COURSE.
MADE BY PERMISSION OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE RANGERS.
PRINTED FOR T. PURDAY AND SON, NO. 1, PATERNOSTER-ROW, AND TO BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS: BY B. M c MILLAN, BOW STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1809.
&c. &c.
Anxiety to see France—Departure from Baltimore—Singular Adventures of the Captain—Character—Employment during the Voyage—Arrival at Liverpool—Stay—Departure for Calais.
From my earliest life I had most anxiously wished to visit France—a country which, in arts and science, and in eminent men, both of former ages and of the present times, stands in the foremost rank of civilized nations. What a man wishes anxiously, he seldom fails, at one period or other, to accomplish. An opportunity at length occurred—the situation of my private affairs, as well as of my public duties, admitted of my absence.
I embarked at Baltimore for Liverpool in the month of April, 1807. The vessel, which was a mere trader, and which had likewise some connexions at Calais, was to sail for Liverpool in the first instance, and thence, after the accomplishment of some private affairs, was to pass to Calais, and thence home. I do not profess to understand the business of merchants; but I must express my admiration at the ingenuity with which they defy and elude the laws of all countries. I suppose, however, that this is considered as perfectly consistent with mercantile honour. Every trader has a morality of his own; and without any intention of depreciating the mercantile class, so far I must be allowed to say, that the merchants are not very strict in their morality. Trade may improve the wealth of a nation, but it most certainly does not improve their morals.