Travels Among the Great Andes of the Equator ¹

Abstract

MR. WHYMPER'S expedition to the Great Andes of Ecuador, occupied him from December 1879 to July 1880. The results were briefly indicated in communications to the Royal Geographical Society and the Alpine Club, but the full description has been long in coming. Horace recommended giving literary work nine years to ripen: Mr. Whymper has more than followed his advice. Possibly the delay may be a mistake from a commercial point of view, but it is a gain to the readers when a book of travel in an interesting region is not written in a hurry and rushed through the press, but is rendered complete in every detail with an almost loving care.