PREFACE.
AMONG the great modern scientific discoveries which, as the poet truly says, have "shaken mankind" by their wonderful nature, few minister more abundantly to the enjoyment of man than that of Photography. By it we behold, as it were in a mirror, the features of those most loved; remarkable and beautiful scenery, structures famous for their architectural elegance, or as being the scenes of striking historical events. In truth, by the aid of good Photographic pictures, we become almost as well acquainted with the scenery and buildings of a country as if we had travelled through it, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that the views placed before us are perfectly truthful, the great sun-painter being worthy of all credit.
Thanks to the cultivation of Photography by amateurs, many of whom are as skilful as professional Photographers, we have now sun-pictures of far-distant countries. Egypt, with its wondrous architecture, its vast deserts and picturesque people, has been made familiar to us by photographic pictures, and it is now our pleasing duty to edit the following 'Sketches in India,' which we feel sure will be admitted to be highly successful examples of the Photographic art.
