The Jew, the Gypsy and El Islam
By Sir Richard F. Burton. A posthumously published work, edited by W.H. Wilkins and first released in 1898, comprising three distinct essays that reflect Burton’s ethnographic and cultural observations from his extensive travels. The first section, "The Jew," examines Jewish communities, particularly in Damascus, where Burton served as British Consul in the 1860s. He explores Jewish history, the Talmud, and societal perceptions, often employing essentialist language typical of his era. Interestingly, this essay was four times longer in its original unpublished format, which was kept under lock and key in the archives of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The story of how they got their hands on the original manuscript is discussed in the foreword.