ABSTRACT
THE following narrative has only previously appeared in print as an appendix to the second edition (London, 1772) of A Voyage to the East Indies, by John Henry Grose; and it is from this source that our text is taken, with some alteration in the punctuation and the correction of a few obvious misprints. In his preliminary’ advertisement ‘Grose explains that he has included the narrative because’ from the many necessary informations and judicious remarks [it] will be both an useful and entertaining companion to those who may have occasion to make that journey, and be the means of procuring further insight into the situation and remains of those antient cities mentioned in sacred history.’ He then proceeds to say : ‘It may be satisfactory to the reader to know something of Mr. Charmichael [sic]. I shall therefore acquaint him that he was in the service of the East India Company at Bombay, where having some disputes with the Governor and Council, he came over to England in order to lay his complaints before the Court of Directors, leaving his affairs in India unsettled. His conduct was so much disapproved that, instead of meeting with redress, he was dismissed the service; and on his application for leave to go back, in order to settle his affairs, was refused a passage on board any of the Company’s ships. This occasioned him to take the journey over the desert. On his arrival in India, he entered into the service of one of the country powers; and after meeting with many adventures and experiencing great vicissitudes of fortune, he at last died in distress at Surat.’
