anyone got any ideas?

Maybe you can compare Burton's descriptions of United States with descriptions of american travelers and try to see the diferences due to Burton preferences for the cause of sutherners.

Dear Mr. Gebara:

I suggest you discuss Burton't time in the Middle East with what is going on there now.

Howard Wallace

Alexsander,

What makes you think Burton had a preference for the cause of sutherners, just preceding the civil war?

--Mark

I agree with Mr Wallace. Burton knew a great deal about the middle east, much of which is certainly still relevant.

Dear Howard Wallace, thanks for the suggestion re: Burton's middle-eastern capers. Since Burton was an imperialist it may be interesting to discuss his life in the context of post imperial difficulties in the ex-colonies and the emergence of neo-imperialism in the form of varying degrees of indirect rule/cultural imperialism. Anyone got any thoughts on this. By the way, where is the evidence for Burton's supposed 'preference for sutherners' Mr. Gebara?
Regards to all and merry Christmas to all you Burton scholars.

First of all, forgive me by my horrible English.
Second, the question of political preferences of Burton. There is a book named "Sir Richard Francis Burton A traveler in Brazil", writen by Alfredo Cordiviola, that mentions some interesting points on the issue. Acording this author, there was many things that conected the south of USA to England, such as the cotton suplying (despite teh slavery was tottaly against English ideals. Nevertheless, many English newspapers took the side of the South (like The Times, The Daily telegraph, Morning post etc...)
There is still the participation of Burton on the foundation of London Antrhopological Society, which defended the poligenic view of the origin of humanity, an ideology that was perfect to a society racialy divided as was the south of USA then.
All of this, nevertheless, are just sopositions, that just a carefully research on the travel writings and the letters of Burton could clarify.
Hope that my text could be understood.
merry christmas and happy new year for everybody
Alex Gebara

Hi Alexsander,

I grant you that England in general was supportive of the southern cause before and during the civil war. Burton, I feel though, was probably opposed to this tendency, as he was so much oppose to other aspects of polite English sensibilities that cause him so much difficulties in finding a suitable home during his life.