The Art of Travel: Or, Shifts and Contrivances Available in Wild Countries

Francis Galton (1822-1911), a grandson of Erasmus Darwin and later a pioneer of biostatistics, published this book in 1855, drawing on his experiences during an extensive journey around Africa. It is intended as a 'how-to' guide, offering, as the subtitle says, 'shifts and contrivances available in wild countries'. The book is organised by topic, beginning with the essentials for all travellers: water, fire, shelter, food and cookery. Later chapters consider 'matters of discipline', including 'securing prisoners', and 'carpentry and smith's work', more suitable for a military or scientific expedition. The chapter on water explains how to find it, collect it, store it, purify it and transport it, using examples from Africa, India and Mongolia. The remainder of the work is equally wide-ranging and practical, giving an insight into the needs and expectations of British travellers as they ranged ever more widely over the world.