PREFACE
The kind reception given to my previous volume, Persia Past and Present^ has encouraged me to describe the first half of two subsequent journeys made through Northern Iran, Transcaspia, and Turkistan in 1907 and 1908 for the purpose of scholarly research. The portion included in the present book gives an account of the route from Constantinople, along the shores of the Black Sea and the Caspian, across Northern Persia, and into Russian Asia. The second section, which is planned to appear later, will cover the territory traversed beyond the Caspian into the Heart of Asia.
Among the generous criticisms of the book that appeared five years ago was a special comment by George Edward Wood- berry in approval of the ' blending of scholarship and travel — the research side imparting a touch of romance, and dignifying the travel.' I hope that the present pages may not be found to fall too far below the standard which the critic demanded to have maintained. For that reason I have refrained, as before, from an earlier idea of labeling certain chapters as ' dedicated to the special student,' because of their more technical con- tents, and of designating others as 'dedicated to the general reader.' It will not be found difficult, I think, to distinguish the appeal in either case.
The nature of the regions visited is, necessarily, a factor in determining the character of the descriptive part of the work. If there be less of the element of hardship in travel in the present book, there is more of vision in regard to the history of civilization, the development of literature, and the sphere of man's influence. Zoroaster, the founder of Persia's ancient
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