The kangaroos are found in various parts of Victoria, in their wild state. They are usually discovered in the thick woods, sitting upright in circles of a dozen or more, as grave as though engaged in holding a formal council. . . . -from Chapter VIntended for younger readers, this charming collection of notes from foreign travel by an American novelist winningly captures the romantic adventure of roaming the globe and embraces a youthful enthusiasm that armchair travelers of all ages continue to enjoy. Highlights of Ballou's grand tour, first published in 1889, include: San Francisco's Chinatown. Yokohama. the island of CeylonNew Zealand hot springs. tea gardens of India. Cairoa French flower market. the Arctic Circleand much more. Prehistoric monuments, exotic fruits, strange wildlife, cannibals, dancing girls, ancient tombs, and sacred pigeons-they're all here. American writer MATURIN MURRAY BALLOU (1820-1895) was a magazine editor and publisher of pulp dime novels, many of which he wrote himself under the pseudonym "Lieutenant Murray. " His books of travel include Due-West, or Round the World in Ten Months and Due-North, or Glimpses of Scandinavian and Russia.
