James Wathen

A fascinating account Wathen's voyage to Asia including China, Ceylon, Singapore and India.

• James Wathen (English).
• Journal of a voyage in 1811 and 1812 to Madras and China: returning by the Cape of Good Hope and St. Helena; in the H.C.S. the hope, capt. James Pendergrass.
• London: J. Nichols, Son, and Bentley, 1814.
• Includes 24 hand-colored aquatint plates including images of important buildings and local sites of interest.
• Bound in full tan calf with red and tan spines, gilt tooled sailing ships and decoration and blind impressed repeating diamond diaper pattern on front board.

Written as a narrative, the voyage began in England and then traveled to India and China in 1811. The large English crew of 139 officers and men was joined by 12 passengers and a variety of Portuguese and Chinese seamen. Wathen has written an interesting and informative commentary of the cultures observed, the flora and fauna, and the interaction of the various people on board.