which soon show themselves in the distant northern horizon.

At Attah, 60 miles beyond, probably the next advantageous point which may present itself for forming treaties, the Adansonia digitata, and the other peculiar vegetation of this luxuriant clime, become very striking.

The Bokweh market comes next, a place of great resort for the produce from all parts of the interior, to be exchanged for European merchandize, of very inferior quality, which is brought from the coast. The neutrality of these meetings, whatever wars may be in the land, is said to be held sacred; and cheering, indeed, to humanity would it be were this principle strictly acted upon. But what they have not firmness to accomplish among themselves, by acting up to their own customs, a little conciliation on the part of our Commissioners may induce them to do for us, and thus by our means a great blessing may be conferred upon the people.

At 8 miles beyond, we reach Beaufort Island, of which we may expect to hear more hereafter, and 20 miles further, at a distance of 270 miles from the sea, the magnificent Chadda pours in its tributary stream from the eastward, offering a high road to an unknown, but certainly populous interior.

Here will probably be the headquarters of the Expedition for some time, and the Commissioners will use their utmost endeavours to form treaties for lawful traffic, and for the extinction of Slave Trade, with the native Chiefs. Here an opportunity will be afforded for showing the Africans the best mode of cultivating the ground, and of distributing plants and seeds suited to the climate and soil. By social intercourse, every effort will be made to gain the confidence of the chiefs, to impress upon them the advantages of free over slave labour, and to endeavour to convince them, by every means in our power, that the Queen of Great Britain, actuated by the pure spirit of Christianity, has sent this Expedition chiefly for their benefit, if they will profit by the advantages offered to them:-may such be the happy result of the efforts made.

Should an opportunity be afforded, the vessels will probably explore the

upper part of the Quorra, [Kawára,] towards Busah, where the lamented Mungo Park lost his life, and also the Chadda, as far as water communication will admit of it, and thus open the road to the missionary, the merchant, and the man of science.

And here a favourable opportunity will be afforded of gaining more knowledge of the interior; some parties might even reach Lake Chad, about 500 miles to the east; or Tumbúktu, not much further to the north west, and thus connect the exploratory journeys of Denham, Clapperton, and Laing, with points to be correctly laid down by this Expedition, which is furnished with twelve of the best chronometers, and with every instrument that can be necessary for a complete geographical survey of the rivers, and of the countries passed through. The committee contemplating such a possible opportunity, has placed 1000/. at the disposal of the Commander of the Expedition, to be used either in some benevolent plans for the Africans, or in endeavouring to gain a more intimate knowledge of the interior of the country. Such journeys as we have alluded to, would not be bare geographical researches, but the traveller would be instructed to carry out, to the fullest extent, the benevolent objects of the mission, and to procure every information that would, at a future time, enable us the more effectually to become "THE FRIEND OF AFRICA."

The time of the Expedition entering the river will be about the beginning of March, and this period, had we to deal with the coast, would be late; but the little experience we have of the interior, shows that the rains there are not to be compared with those on the sea-coast. We write with Captain W. Allen's Meteorological Journal before us, noted day by day, during the Landers' Expedition, and no continued rains of any importance occurred during that year; but some rain will be of advantage, as every seaman knows that it would be unwise to explore unknown rivers without a rising stream.

From this brief outline of the Expedition, and of its probable proceedings, it is manifest that, even should it not fully succeed in its diplomatic objects,

Botanic Garden at this place, and well known in the scientific world as the author of various papers on the genus Cassia, to accompany the Expedition as Botanist, and whose services, I am happy to learn, have since been accepted.

And here I must be permitted to offer my congratulations to you and to the Society, at having secured the co-operation of so valuable an adjunct to the Expedition; doubtless many of the medical officers attached to the vessels have (and one in particular I know has) a competent knowledge of Botany; but when we consider how important are the duties they already have to perform, and how desirable it is to have a complete botanical examination of Central Africa; a report upon the various species of timber, dye-woods, gums, roots, drugs, &c.; of the capability of the soil for producing coffee, sugar, indigo, hemp, tobacco, and, above all, COTTON, all of which we know are now produced in limited quantities,-when we consider that, next to Christianity, agriculture is one of the great means whereby, under the blessing of Providence, we hope to call forth and elevate the native mind, and to provide a larger source of revenue than that derived from the trade in man; we can hardly, it seems to me, overrate the value of the services of an individual who, to a practical knowledge of horticulture, unites the acquirements of a scientific Botanist.

As before mentioned, the cause of African Civilization was very favourably received at Bonn; and having many friends here I was enabled to procure much useful information as to the persons I should address myself to in my proposed journey. Among others, Dr. Nasse, Medical Professor, a truly pious Christian, (to whom I was introduced by Dr. Hodgkin,) gave me some useful advice and several introductions; nor can I omit to mention the friendly assistance I received from Dr. G. Bischof, Professor of Chemistry; Dr. Nöggerath, Professor of Geology; Dr. Wolff; and the eminent Orientalist, Professor Lassen, well known throughout Europe as the decipherer of the cuneiform inscriptions. Captain Sir Henry Leeke, of the Royal Navy, now residing at Bonn, who commanded the Myrmidon on the coast of Africa, for three years, corroborated many of the statements in your work on the "Slave Trade," and expressed his belief that the Remedy proposed would be found practicable.

said, "Although I fear from my experience of Africans that you may not be successful, still, had I been ten years younger, nothing would have pleased me better than to have joined the Expedition as naturalist." At the Geographical Society here the subject was warmly received by Dr. Kriegk and Mr. H. "Meidinger, and indeed by all parties among the three classes to which I particularly addressed myself, namely, the clergy, the philanthropists, and the scientific men, among whom it seldom failed in finding a favourable reception.

The pastors of the Swiss Church; Mr. Heberlin, Secretary to the Missions; the senator Mayer; and the Rev. Dr. Pinkerton, Secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society, took especial interest in the cause. From the latter gentleman I received much useful information derived from the experience of twenty years' residence in Germany; and I feel certain that the Society will reap much benefit in. keeping up a correspondence with an individual so warmly attached to the cause as is Dr. Pinkerton.

At Vienna, I was commissioned to deliver a copy of your work to the Archduke John of Austria, to whom Sir Thomas Acland kindly gave me an introduction, and to invite him to accept the title of honorary member. As his Royal Highness was absent at Bad-Gastein, a distance of 200 miles, and it being uncertain whether I should even find him there, I was obliged to content myself with seeing his aide-de-camp and his secretary, who both assured me that the Archduke would be much flattered by the title. In the course of the conversation, I learnt that he had a portrait of Wilberforce hanging in each of his country-houses, and that he often spoke of him as one of the most remarkable men of his age. I accordingly delivered the book to M. Zahlbruckner, his private secretary, with a letter explaining the objects of the Society. In less than six hours afterwards I received a message, saying that the Archduke Louis, then in Vienna, took an equal interest with his brother in the cause of Africa, and begging to know if I could spare him your work. I need not say, I was but too thankful to find such a spirit. in these Austrian princes, and immediately sent him a copy also.

in the cause; and accordingly, on reaching Prague, I crossed the country 120 miles to Königswart, where, through the medium of Baron Charles Hügel, I was most kindly received, and had the interview with the Prince already described.

At Dresden I found the Pastor Ammon, Chief of the Evangelical Consistory, and Dr. Carus, ready and willing to take up the cause; Mr. Carry, a Swiss gentleman established there, accompanied me in calling upon those likely to be interested in the subject, and in all cases we met with a favourable reception. I was informed that the Prince John of Saxony, brother of the king, took a lively interest in the civilization of Africa.

On my way to Dresden, I visited the Academy of Mines at Freiberg, in order to make personal acquaintance with Mr. Roscher, the mineralogist, who had been selected by the geological professor of that place, at my request, in accordance with the instructions of the committee. I found him to be an intelligent young man, highly recommended by all the authorities at Freiberg, and especially by Professor Naumann (well known by his geological map of Saxony). Mr. Roscher's proposals have been laid before the "Expedition Committee," and I trust that they will meet with a favourable reception, as, if the search for coal and metals in Africa be deemed of importance, I cannot but think that his services will be indispensable. In addition to his education as a practical miner, Mr. Roscher has spent two years in examining the geological structure of the Erz-gebirge and other mountain ranges in Germany, and I have little doubt but that he will be fully competent to furnish a comprehensive report on the geology of a portion of Central Africa, and in some degree of its mineralogical treasures; such a report this country will undoubtedly look for on the return of the Niger Expedition; and I sincerely trust that no slight obstacles will be allowed to interfere with securing his services.

On my arrival at Berlin, I found that the King of Prussia and all his Court had gone to Königsberg. I could therefore only transmit the copy of your work, intended for his Majesty, to Baron Humboldt, with a request that he would present it in the name of the Society. I had previously been made acquainted, by those immediately about the person of the King, with his favourable sentiments respecting the civilization of Africa, and this was confirmed to me by numerous persons with whom I conversed at Berlin.

As had been my custom elsewhere, I here addressed myself to the clergy, to the

philanthropists, and the men of science. Dr. Neander, well known by his theological works, Professor Lancizolle, and the Secretary to the Missions, evinced much interest in the cause. Adolph Erman, the companion of Hansteen, in his magnetic observations in Siberia, was anxious to go and complete his work by vibrating his needle in the interior of Africa. Lichtenstein, many years at the Cape of Good Hope, expressed a strong wish that the animal and vegetable productions of Central Africa might be thoroughly investigated, in hopes that several might be found useful to man, and that the natives might be taught their value. Colonel Oetzel and Professor Dieterici were desirous that no pains should be spared in collecting and comparing vocabularies of the native languages; but, beyond all others, Mr. Gossner, the venerable pastor of the Bohemian Church, when he had heard all the objects of the Society, and its plans and hopes for the amelioration of Africa, fell down on his knees, and blessed God that he had lived to see the day that the dearest wish of his heart was about to be carried into execution. Mr. Gossner offered to supply any number of artisans of every descrip tion, all of them truly pious men, should the Society be desirous of sending such to Africa. This I explained to him was not our intention, that as few Europeans as possible would be sent, as we hoped to accomplish our object by means of civilized natives either from Sierra Leone or the West Indies, many of which were ready and anxious to return to their fatherland. Mr. Gossner told me that he had sent a great number of Bohemians to South Australia; and I know from Governor Gawler, that they are the most exemplary and thriving persons in his colony. At some future time, not I trust very far distant, this offer may, in a very limited degree, be well worthy the attention of the Society, as each man, besides teaching the natives his trade, would instruct them in the truths of the Gospel, and set a bright example of Christian usefulness.

At Leipzig, I had only time to see Dr. Poeppig, the well-known traveller in South America, and to acquaint him fully with yourplans; also to make arrangements with Brockhaus, the most extensive publisher in Germany, relative to the translation of your work,-subject to the decision of the Committee, whether they think it were better published at Leipzig, under the superintendence of Professor Ritter, the well-known eminent geographer; or by Cotta, at Stuttgardt, under the eye of the respected missionary Hoffman, at Basel.

This was the last place that I was able

to visit in person; but by letter I communicated with Munich, Stuttgardt, Basel, Ban de la-Roche-for I well knew how the news of this Society would be received by the excellent M. Legrand and by M. Rautcher, the successor of Oberlin-Heidelberg, Halle (where Professor Schweigger has long had a society for the conversion of the heathen), Göttingen, Düsseldorf (where the excellent old Count Van der Reche Vollmarstein has recently established a charitable school for orphan children, similar to that of Capt. Brenton at Hackney Wick), Elberfield (where the admirable missionary institution is presided over by Heinrich Ritter, assisted by Krummacher, author of Elijah the Tish bite), Cleves, and, lastly, the Hague, where the respectable Count de Bylandt promises not only his own support, but also that of his numerous friends in Holland.

In the course of my journey, I found that, besides the philanthropic and scientific interest felt in this Expedition, the advantages were not lost sight of which are likely to accrue to a people rapidly advancing in manufactures, by the opening of free ports in Africa, affording a fresh outlet for the products of German industry. And it is far from improbable that the vessels of Hamburg, Bremen, and Dantzig, may follow in the wake of our own Liverpool ships as soon as the Government Expedition shall have pioneered the way up the Quorra and other African rivers.

very

I fear, my dear Sir, that my letter has extended to an unwarrantable length; but I was unwilling that you should not be fully acquainted with the cordial reception that the proposal for the civilization of Africa has met with throughout Germany; for myself, I must say, that I was extremely gratified at the number of estimable men, to whom this subject procured me a welcome introduction; and I feel certain that I may assure you and the Society, that as the great cause of the civilization of Africa advances, we may confidently look to Germany for support and assistance: she may not have money to give us; but she will send her vessels to trade up the African rivers, and she will furnish us, if required, with a supply of missionaries of naturalists-of artisans of every description, who, with the blessing of God, will lend a willing hand to build up the edifice of which you have, I trust, securely laid the foundation stone.-I am, my dear Sir, very faithfully your's,

JOHN WASHINGTON.

We understand that numerous Christian friends will unite in prayer on the first day of the opening year, for a blessing upon

the Niger Expedition, shortly about to leave the British shores, and we earnestly invite the prayers of all, that our gracious God may bless and protect this enterprise, and preserve the officers and seamen from "the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and from the sickness that destroyeth in the noonday."

We had prepared a brief analysis of Mr. Joseph John Gurney's recently published work, A Winter in the West Indies, but want of space compels us to defer it; in the mean time, we cordially invite all the friends of the Extinction of Slavery, to read Mr. Gurney's admirable prefatory letter to that work, addressed to Sir FoWELL BUXTON, and characterized by manly straightforwardness, honesty of purpose, and sound principle.

Numerous articles of dress, &c., contributed by ladies in various parts of the country, as presents to the Africans, have been received by the Society, and will be more formally noticed in a future number; in the mean time, it is requested that all intended presents may be sent to 15, Parliament-street, at latest by the 25th of January.

by the Treasurer, J. Gurney Hoare, Esq.; Subscriptions and Donations are received by Messrs. Barnett, Hoares, and Co., 62, Lombard-street; Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, and Co., 54, Lombard-street; Messrs. Coutts and Co., 59, Strand; Messrs. Drummonds, Charing-cross; Messrs. Hanbury, Taylor, and Lloyd, 60, Lombard-street; Messrs. Hankeys, 7, Fenchurch-street; Messrs. Hoares, 37, Fleet-street; and Messrs. Williams, Deacon, and Co., 20, Birchin-lane; and by the Secretary, the Rev. J. M. Trew (to whom all communications relative to the business of the Society may be addressed), at the Office of the Society, 15, Parliament-street.

LONDON: Printed by THOMAS RICHARD HARRISON, of No. 45, St. Martin's Lane, in the parish of St. Martin in the Fields; and published by JOHN WIL LIAM PARKER, of No. 445, West Strand. Sold also by Murray; Rivingtons; Hatchard; Seeley; Nisbet; Richardson; and Madden; and supplied to order by

all Booksellers and Newsmen in Town and Country. -Friday, 1st January, 1841.