DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4680#0009
PREFACE. vii
was a travelling student of the iScole Francaise, until, when I reached
Smyrna in July after a journey of ten weeks, I found the Bulletin
de Correspondance Ilellenique with an article containing the best
set of inscriptions which we had found. I received the impression
that my journey had been wasted, and that the Asia Minor Fund,
which had been raised to enable me to travel, had been spent in vain.
I can now smile at my own apprehensions; but at the time I thought
that the Fund and I had been ruined. In the Academy of August,
1883, a letter from me was published, criticizing with unjustifiable
asperity the article in the Bulletin. I have for many years re-
gretted deeply that I wrote that letter; I had been received at the
French School of Athens with kindness unusual at that time (though
it is now customary, as I understand); and, at least, I ought to have
first written privately to the Director. In extenuation I may plead
that I had only a week in Smyrna to spend between two long
journeys, and that the fever from which I suffered much weakens
the system and sharpens the sense of injustice or neglect. I can
now only record my regret and apologyl.
My punishment has lainrin the writing of my Historical Geography
and of the present work. The inadequacies and errors which are
found in them as discovery progresses offend every one : and few
will remember more than the faults. Through the newer maps, and
in other ways, the results that are proved beyond dispute pass into
the stock of common knowledge, whose origin none remember: the
views which are less certain (some of which, as I know well, must
prove erroneous) are the only ones that are associated with the
author's name. I might mention many places where views first
stated by me are adopted, but the only reference to me is to express
dissent from some detail. That is the way of the world; and
I mention it, not to complain, but merely in justification of this large
work, which would grow to double the size, if I were guided by
critics, who blame my omissions. Even this book overtaxes my
unaided strength amid college duties.
Critics who add to or correct my work are true friends ; but the
value of their help is sometimes impaired. (1) Many blame me
for not holding some view, which I advocated 6 or 12 years ago,
1 In 1884, on the advice of M. Wad- him, which, it was hoped, might pro-
dington, I wrote a letter, approved by duce peace. It had the opposite effect.
was a travelling student of the iScole Francaise, until, when I reached
Smyrna in July after a journey of ten weeks, I found the Bulletin
de Correspondance Ilellenique with an article containing the best
set of inscriptions which we had found. I received the impression
that my journey had been wasted, and that the Asia Minor Fund,
which had been raised to enable me to travel, had been spent in vain.
I can now smile at my own apprehensions; but at the time I thought
that the Fund and I had been ruined. In the Academy of August,
1883, a letter from me was published, criticizing with unjustifiable
asperity the article in the Bulletin. I have for many years re-
gretted deeply that I wrote that letter; I had been received at the
French School of Athens with kindness unusual at that time (though
it is now customary, as I understand); and, at least, I ought to have
first written privately to the Director. In extenuation I may plead
that I had only a week in Smyrna to spend between two long
journeys, and that the fever from which I suffered much weakens
the system and sharpens the sense of injustice or neglect. I can
now only record my regret and apologyl.
My punishment has lainrin the writing of my Historical Geography
and of the present work. The inadequacies and errors which are
found in them as discovery progresses offend every one : and few
will remember more than the faults. Through the newer maps, and
in other ways, the results that are proved beyond dispute pass into
the stock of common knowledge, whose origin none remember: the
views which are less certain (some of which, as I know well, must
prove erroneous) are the only ones that are associated with the
author's name. I might mention many places where views first
stated by me are adopted, but the only reference to me is to express
dissent from some detail. That is the way of the world; and
I mention it, not to complain, but merely in justification of this large
work, which would grow to double the size, if I were guided by
critics, who blame my omissions. Even this book overtaxes my
unaided strength amid college duties.
Critics who add to or correct my work are true friends ; but the
value of their help is sometimes impaired. (1) Many blame me
for not holding some view, which I advocated 6 or 12 years ago,
1 In 1884, on the advice of M. Wad- him, which, it was hoped, might pro-
dington, I wrote a letter, approved by duce peace. It had the opposite effect.