ADVERTISEMENT TO THE THIRD VOLUME. VIEWS of Palestine and other parts of Asia Minor," remarks the Editor of the Spectator, "which used to be scarce and indifferent, now abound in number and excellence; the best, however-not excepting the beautiful works of art forming the Landscape Illustrations of the Bible'-have been made from the rough and slight sketches of travellers, some of whom have preserved only feeble outlines of the more prominent features of the scenery, which have had life and expression given to them by artists unacquainted with the characteristic appearance and effects of the country and clime; so that what we admire as pictures, may want that local truth and congenial character, which are essential to convey a correct idea of the actual scenes as they meet the eye of the traveller. Messrs. Fisher, with an enterprising spirit that deserves to meet with a commensurate recompense, have been at the expense of sending out artists, for the express purpose of taking accurate views of those places and objects in Syria and the Holy Land, which either by their present importance, past glory, or picturesque and national character, are interesting to the public." The present volume concludes the views thus alluded to,-the first series of "The Turkish Empire Illustrated;" and the Proprietors have now the grateful and pleasing duty of returning their thanks to the public for an amount of patronage seldom equalled-never, they believe, surpassed. The execution of the engravings, they hope, has been commensurate with the spirit that prompted them to an undertaking of so much magnitude;-their endeavour has been to improve as they progressed. The Proprietors have but one subject of regret-that circumstances which they could not control have obliged them to extend their work beyond the limits originally assigned, and so far to break faith with their friends;—this, however, they will endeavour to obviate in future. In conclusion, the Proprietors beg to direct the attention of the possessors of this first series, to the second series, of the "Turkish Empire Illustrated," now in course of publication, comprising Views of Constantinople and its Environs, with the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor, from drawings by Mr. Allom, who went out expressly for the purpose; and whose talents as an artist are already well known and appreciated. LONDON, October, 1838. Maps of Syria and Asia Minor, to face page 5. PAGE Walls on the west side of Antioch Khan and Bridge near the Source of the Damour Church and Scheich's House, Eden Scanderoon, from the Road to Issus Interior of the Great Temple, Balbec The Tomb of St. George, Bay of Kesrouan Tortosa, with the Island of Ruad |