Burton, Richard Autograph Letter Signed ("Richard F Burton Lt. "), to the Britishpolitical resident at Aden, concerning his examination in the Arabiclanguage Camp Aden, 18 february, 1855 In the year Burton's account of his pilgrimage to Mecca was published,the explorer requests the results of an examination in Arabic just before his recent trip to Somalia: Sir, I have the honour to bring to your attention that before my departure for Africa about Sep or Oct 1854 I was examined by Lt. Playfair in the Arabic language & my papers were sent on your information to Bombay. At the same time I addressed an official letter to the Secretary of the Examination Committee Bombay. 2. On my return from Africa, some months afterward, I find no notice of my Examination whether in general Notes or communicated to me. 3. I have therefore the honor to request that you will forward this by [two words] to be competent [two words] Interpreter in the Arabic Language [three words] allowance for the same. This was allowed to me at the Sinddhi & the M... dialects in both of which I passed examination [three words] I have the honour to be, Sir, Yr most obt Svt, Richard F Burton Lt. 18 R. Bom. N. I. In charge Somali Expedition" Just ten days previously, Burton had returned to Aden from his bold trip to Harar. On the eve of attaining worldwide celebrity, Burton is requesting official recognition of his linguistic skills. Also of considerable interest is the name of his examiner in Arabic, "Lt. Playfair", i.e., Sir Robert Lambert Playfair (1828-1899), author and colonial administrator: "From March 1852 until September 1853 [Playfair] served as assistant executive engineer at Aden, and in 1854, when Outram became first political resident there, the latter chose Playfair as his assistant. In this capacity, under Outram and his successors, Playfair remained at Aden until 1862." Playfair was based in Algeria after 1867 and wrote on north Africa: "His most valuable work in connection with the Barbary states was A Bibliography of Algeria from the Expedition of Charles V in 1541 to 1887 (1888)" (DNB); Burton had a copy of the book in his library Folio. Written in gray-black ink on laid grayish blue paper. One page, 20 lines. Docketed on verso, which shows slight browning. Occasional words faintly inked, else fine Price: USD 9,000.00 other currencies   order no. 211233    inquire

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