I wonder if anyone can help me...I am trying to find the source book/writing/? for the following Burton quotation:

The gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is a departure into unknown lands. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood."

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Matthew

off the top of my head - subject to confirmation - i think it's from "wanderings in West Africa".

The quote was in "Zanzibar; and Two Moths in East Africa" orginally published in Blackwoods Magazine. J.C. Byers (Sorry if I spelled the name wrong) has a copy of the article on his site @ http://www.wollamshran.ca/1001/.



"Of the gladdest moments, methinks, in human life, is the departing upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one effort the fetters of Habit-the leaden weight of Routine-the cloak of carking Care, and the slavery of Home-man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation of youth, excitement gives new vigour to the muscles, and a sense of sudden freedom adds an inch to the stature. Afresh dawns the morn of life, again the bright world is beautiful to the eye, and the glorious face of nature gladdens the soul. A journey in fact, appeals to Imagination, to Memory, to Hope-the sister Graces of our moral being."

See also Volume I of Burton's "ZANZIBAR: City, Island, and Coast" [1872]. A couple of sentences into Chapter 2 ("Arrival at Zanzibar Island")we read a slightly different version of the quotation in question:

"No phantom of the future cast a shadow upon our sunny path as we set out, determined either to do or die.I find my journal brimful of enthusiasm. 'Of the gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of Habit, the leaden weight of Routine, the cloak of many Cares and the slavery of Home, man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood. Excitement lends unwonted vigour to the muscles, and the sudden sense of freedom adds a cubit to the mental stature. Afresh dawns the morn of life; again the bright world is beautiful to the eye, and the glorious face of nature gladdens the soul. A journey, in fact, appeals to Imagination, to Memory, to Hope,-the three sister Graces of our moral being.'"

The quotation marks make it clear that Burton is quoting from the journal he kept during the expedition, and in a footnote he adds: "Somewhat boisterous, but true. (Note 14 years afterwards.)"

(Is the urge to travel, then, a quest for the lost paradise and freedom of childhood? Discuss!)