THE CITY OF THE SAINTS, and Across the Rocky Mountains to California. [with A.L.s.]

1862. [with a relevant A.L.s.] With Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1862. 2 pp undated ads. Original blind-stamped dark brown cloth with gilt-lettered spine.

First American Edition, published in the same year as the UK edition. Burton is best-known for his travels in the Middle East and (1855-1859) in Central Africa, especially searching for the sources of the Nile, but in April 1860 he sailed to America, primarily to visit Salt Lake City: "I had long determined to add the last new name to the list of "Holy Cities"; to visit the young rival, soi-disant, of Memphis, Benares, Jerusalem, Rome, Meccah" [from the first page of text]. On August 25th of that year, he boarded a stagecach on the Emigrants' route west from "St. Jo" to Salt Lake City -- recording here his itinerary, his interactions with native Americans, and his impressions of Mormonism and the Mormons (including Brigham Young, whom he met); thence he continued west, embarking (on November 15th) from San Francisco back to England, where he wrote up his notes to create this book. Included are full-page plates showing for example native American peoples and scenes of SLC, several foldout maps (of the route, also of the SLC street layout) -- and numerous illustrations within the text. This copy is in very good condition, albeit re-backed with the original cloth spine laid back down; the endpapers are original, though reinforced at the gutters. Affixed to the front free endpaper is a highly-relevant two-page autograph letter signed, on a Royal Geographic Society bifolium, dated "14 Jan / 61" and addressed to "My dear Captain" (unknown, but to whom Burton had Harper send this copy). As best we can decipher Burton's hand, the text of the letter reads: I have just returned to my [?] and [?] after a longer trip through the states than was first intended. The Doctor left me at St. Jo. and returned to his appointment at [Aden?] whilst I went westward without the Brigham Youngites, the silver "diggers" and the gold "diggers" and other [?] between the Mississippi and the Pacific. [?] then it has been a most satisfactory affair. With respect to writing about it I am not at ease. Zion people are [somewhat?] touchy and self interest as well as [feeling?] and gratitude make me chary of "[ryling?] them up." The fact is I shall soon be back in the [Sudanese?] States to [?] an exploration of the Nile Sources. Of course the present troubles must be allowed to blow over -- what do you think is going to happen in the south, hold out or "cave in"? I have sent a copy of my late work to you and Capn McFarlane through Messrs Harper of New York: it is fearfully dry reading, but treats of an unknown theme, somewhat a novelty in this day. I sincerely hope to hear better news of Capn McFarlane. The Doctor if he were here would I doubt not join me in kindest remembrance to you and yours and in best wishes for their continued welfare. So believe me [?] my dear Capn Yours very truly Richd F. Burton We cannot definitely identify "Capn McFarlane," but such a person captained the barque "Dragon of Salem," which had recently (March 1859) carried Burton from Zanzibar to Aden. An interesting side-note: if Burton is (likely) referring to the Sudan when he speculates about "the south," he is forecasting what would befall George Gordon and his troops in Khartoum in 1885. Another interesting side-note: on 22 January 1861, eight days after penning this letter, Burton married Isabel Arundel.