Arthur Leared (1822-1879), educated at Trinity College, Dublin, spent much of his life in travel. He journeyed extensively in India, the Middle East and America. He thrice visited Morocco in the years between 1872 and 1879, from which travels he published the present work (1876) and, later, 'A Visit to the Court of Morocco', which appeared in 1879. In 'Morocco and the Moors', the author provides a complete and colourful picture of that country at the time of his travels there. The major towns and cities are visited and described, as are the general characteristics of the land and its people. Later chapters are devoted to descriptions of government, law and military power; education, customs and religion. 'I owe to being one of those who prefer a plain narrative, such as is found in the works of older travellers,' writes the author in his introduction. 'No one will, I hope, be disappointed at finding an entire absence of smart writing.' Certainly, for the modern reader, the author's 'plain narrative', together with the find maps and illustrations, contains much that is of interest and charm.
For the student, too, this facsimile edition will be especially welcome as a rich source of valuable historical information.