Rare first (and only early English) edition of a detailed account of the city of Goa and its surroundings on the west coast of India, with a folding map of the city, engraved in Madras by W. Jervis. In addition to the general history and description of Goa, with an emphasis on the Portuguese colonists, the book includes a two-and-a-half-page biography of the author; brief notes on the viceroys, governors, bishops and archbishops of Goa, from 1505 to the time of publication; information on the churches and religious orders; the islands and surroundings; and the people of various social classes. The book was printed for the proprietor of the Madras Gazette, apparently by subscription since it includes a list of about 250 subscribers, including eight natives listed separately at the end.
An essential reference work for any study of the city and a primary source for the early nineteenth century. Cottineau de Kloguen was born in Nantes, probably before 1780, joined a Catholic religious order at an early age and spent most of his life abroad as a missionary. He lived in Baltimore, Maryland, for ten years and published a book there in 1806. He was in Bombay by 1827 and took charge of the Church of St Joseph in Colaba there when it was consecrated in early 1828. He died in 1830 in Madras, where the present book was published the following year. A Portuguese translation appeared in 1858.
Very light foxing and browning, mainly to the first and last few leaves, with some worm holes to the upper corner throughout, not affecting the text. At the base of the page with the biographical sketch of the author a stamp has been erased, leaving a slight mark. Otherwise in very good condition. Graesse II, p. 286; Smith & Vining, American Geographers, 1784-1812, pp. 44-45; WorldCat 9857015726 (1? copy).