POSTSCRIPT.

[173]A ridge stretches to the south, through the middle of South Africa, and forms an impenetrable barrier between the two coasts. M.Correa de Serrainforms me, that the Portugueze in Congo and Angola, have never been able to penetrate to the coast of the Indian ocean.Mr. Bruce learnt (Vol. iii. p. 668.) that a high chain of mountains from 6° runs southward through the middle of Africa. He supposes the gold of Sofala to be drawn from these mountains. (p. 669.)[174]Circumstances have shewn, that it declines to the eastward also.[175]“A wild expanse of lifeless sand and sky!”Thomson.[176]Page 130.[177]Water is found at the depth of a few feet, in Fezzan (Afr. Assoc. Q. p. 96: O. p. 146). The same is said by Pliny, concerning this quarter of Africa; lib. v. c. 5. But farther to the NW, on the edge of the Desert, and in the country of Wadreag in particular (Shaw, p. 135.), wells are dug to an amazing depth, and water mixed with fine sand, springs up suddenly, and sometimes fatally to the workmen. The Doctor tells us, that the people call this abyss of sand and water, “the sea below ground.” Exactly the same state of things exists in the country round London, where the sand has in several cases nearly filled up the wells. (See Phil. Trans. for 1797.) The famous well lately dug byEarl Spencer(at Wimbledon), of more than 560 feet in depth, has several hundred feet of sand in it.[178]Ships that have sailed at a great distance from the African coast, opposite to C. Blanco and C. Bojador, have had their rigging filled with fine sand, when the wind blew strong off shore. The accumulation of theBissagoshoals may have been partly owing to this cause also. They occupy the position where a great eddy of the general southerly current takes place, between C. Verd and Sherbro’.[179]This quality of the African Desert was familiarly known to Herodotus (Melpom. c. 181,et seq.) He knew also that there was salt in abundance in thenorthernparts. But as it would appear that the inhabitants in that quarter can furnish themselves with salt of a better quality from the sea, the mines are not wrought.[180]Some writers have said, that there are goldminesin the neighbourhood of Mina, on the Gold Coast; others, that the gold is rolled down by the rivers to that neighbourhood. Both may be true.It is difficult to conceive any other adequate cause, than the exchange of the gold of the inland countries, for the introduction of so vast a quantity ofkowryshells, which are carried from Europe to the Coast of Guinea, and pass for small money in the countries along the Niger, from Bambara to Kassina, both inclusive.I am informed from authority, that about 100 tons of kowries are annually shipped from England alone, to Guinea. These are originally imported from the Maldive islands into Bengal; and from Bengal into England. In Bengal, 2400, more or less, are equal to a shilling: and yet notwithstanding the incredible smallness of the denomination, some article in the market may be purchased for a single kowry. But in the inland parts of Africa, they are about ten times as dear; varying from 220 to 280. Mr. Beaufoy was told that in Kassina, they were at the rate of about 250: and Mr. Park reports, that they are about the same price at Sego: butcheaperat Tombuctoo, which is about thecentreof the kowry country;dearertowards Manding, which is the western extremity of it. Hence they are probably carried in the first instance to Tombuctoo, the gold market: and thence distributed to the east and west. Their circulation seems to be confined between Bornou and Manding. In Bournou they have a coinage of base metal.[181]African Assoc. Q. p. 176: O. p. 264.[182]Mr. Park says that Kong signifiesmountain, in the Mandinga language; which language is in use from the frontier of Bambara, to the western sea.[183]Labat, Vol. iv. ch. 2.[184]Bakui, and Herbelot; article Vankara.[185]See Edrisi in particular, pages 11 and 12.[186]Page 254.[187]Edrisi, page 12.[188]Mr. Bruce, Vol. iii. p. 647, says the same of the mountains of Dyre and Tegla, which are a continuation of the great belt, towards Abyssinia.[189]Pliny, lib. xxxiii. c. 4.[190]Melpomene, c. 196.Dr. Shaw (p. 302) speaks of the same mode of traffic, at present, between the Moors and Negroes: whence the place of traffic ought to be very far removed from the Mediterranean. There is a similar story related by Cadamosta of the exchange of salt for gold, in Melli; and by Dr. Wadstrom on the windward coast of Guinea.[191]See Euterpe, c. 32.; and Melpomene, c. 197.[192]The common boundary of the Moors and Negroes, in themapof Mr. Park’s route, is described by a blue line.[193]The Moors appear to be masters of the northern bank of the Senegal through the greatest part of its navigable course: the Foulahs of the southern bank.[194]The Emperor of Morocco is said to have held, at one period, the sovereignty of some of the countries on the northern banks of the Senegal and Niger rivers. Labat, Vol. iii. p. 339, speaks of incursions made by his troops.[195]Af. Assoc. Q. p. 126: O. p. 191.[196]Page 4.[197]The Arabs and Moors, callNigritiaby the general name ofSoudan. ByBelad Soudan, or the country of Soudan, Abulfeda includes all the known part of Africa, south of the Great Desert, and Egypt. With him, Soudan is the southern quarter of the globe. D’Herbelot also allows it a wide range.Affnoois another term for Nigritia, in use amongst the natives themselves. (See also Proceedings Af. Assoc. Q. p. 164: O. p. 246.)[198]TheSoluentiiof Ptolemy may also be meant for theSolimaniof Mr. Park.[199]And it may also have been the scene of the traffic mentioned inpage lxxxvii;as Dr. Wadstrom speaks of such a custom in this quarter, at the present day.[200]Pliny (lib. v. c. 8.) also speaks of theLeucæthiopes, but seems to place them onthis sideof Nigritia. May it not be, that certain tribes of Foulahs were then established, as at present, along the Senegal river!

Mr. Bruce learnt (Vol. iii. p. 668.) that a high chain of mountains from 6° runs southward through the middle of Africa. He supposes the gold of Sofala to be drawn from these mountains. (p. 669.)

[174]Circumstances have shewn, that it declines to the eastward also.

[175]“A wild expanse of lifeless sand and sky!”Thomson.

[176]Page 130.

[177]Water is found at the depth of a few feet, in Fezzan (Afr. Assoc. Q. p. 96: O. p. 146). The same is said by Pliny, concerning this quarter of Africa; lib. v. c. 5. But farther to the NW, on the edge of the Desert, and in the country of Wadreag in particular (Shaw, p. 135.), wells are dug to an amazing depth, and water mixed with fine sand, springs up suddenly, and sometimes fatally to the workmen. The Doctor tells us, that the people call this abyss of sand and water, “the sea below ground.” Exactly the same state of things exists in the country round London, where the sand has in several cases nearly filled up the wells. (See Phil. Trans. for 1797.) The famous well lately dug byEarl Spencer(at Wimbledon), of more than 560 feet in depth, has several hundred feet of sand in it.

[178]Ships that have sailed at a great distance from the African coast, opposite to C. Blanco and C. Bojador, have had their rigging filled with fine sand, when the wind blew strong off shore. The accumulation of theBissagoshoals may have been partly owing to this cause also. They occupy the position where a great eddy of the general southerly current takes place, between C. Verd and Sherbro’.

[179]This quality of the African Desert was familiarly known to Herodotus (Melpom. c. 181,et seq.) He knew also that there was salt in abundance in thenorthernparts. But as it would appear that the inhabitants in that quarter can furnish themselves with salt of a better quality from the sea, the mines are not wrought.

[180]Some writers have said, that there are goldminesin the neighbourhood of Mina, on the Gold Coast; others, that the gold is rolled down by the rivers to that neighbourhood. Both may be true.It is difficult to conceive any other adequate cause, than the exchange of the gold of the inland countries, for the introduction of so vast a quantity ofkowryshells, which are carried from Europe to the Coast of Guinea, and pass for small money in the countries along the Niger, from Bambara to Kassina, both inclusive.I am informed from authority, that about 100 tons of kowries are annually shipped from England alone, to Guinea. These are originally imported from the Maldive islands into Bengal; and from Bengal into England. In Bengal, 2400, more or less, are equal to a shilling: and yet notwithstanding the incredible smallness of the denomination, some article in the market may be purchased for a single kowry. But in the inland parts of Africa, they are about ten times as dear; varying from 220 to 280. Mr. Beaufoy was told that in Kassina, they were at the rate of about 250: and Mr. Park reports, that they are about the same price at Sego: butcheaperat Tombuctoo, which is about thecentreof the kowry country;dearertowards Manding, which is the western extremity of it. Hence they are probably carried in the first instance to Tombuctoo, the gold market: and thence distributed to the east and west. Their circulation seems to be confined between Bornou and Manding. In Bournou they have a coinage of base metal.

[180]Some writers have said, that there are goldminesin the neighbourhood of Mina, on the Gold Coast; others, that the gold is rolled down by the rivers to that neighbourhood. Both may be true.

It is difficult to conceive any other adequate cause, than the exchange of the gold of the inland countries, for the introduction of so vast a quantity ofkowryshells, which are carried from Europe to the Coast of Guinea, and pass for small money in the countries along the Niger, from Bambara to Kassina, both inclusive.

I am informed from authority, that about 100 tons of kowries are annually shipped from England alone, to Guinea. These are originally imported from the Maldive islands into Bengal; and from Bengal into England. In Bengal, 2400, more or less, are equal to a shilling: and yet notwithstanding the incredible smallness of the denomination, some article in the market may be purchased for a single kowry. But in the inland parts of Africa, they are about ten times as dear; varying from 220 to 280. Mr. Beaufoy was told that in Kassina, they were at the rate of about 250: and Mr. Park reports, that they are about the same price at Sego: butcheaperat Tombuctoo, which is about thecentreof the kowry country;dearertowards Manding, which is the western extremity of it. Hence they are probably carried in the first instance to Tombuctoo, the gold market: and thence distributed to the east and west. Their circulation seems to be confined between Bornou and Manding. In Bournou they have a coinage of base metal.

[181]African Assoc. Q. p. 176: O. p. 264.

[182]Mr. Park says that Kong signifiesmountain, in the Mandinga language; which language is in use from the frontier of Bambara, to the western sea.

[183]Labat, Vol. iv. ch. 2.

[184]Bakui, and Herbelot; article Vankara.

[185]See Edrisi in particular, pages 11 and 12.

[186]Page 254.

[187]Edrisi, page 12.

[188]Mr. Bruce, Vol. iii. p. 647, says the same of the mountains of Dyre and Tegla, which are a continuation of the great belt, towards Abyssinia.

[189]Pliny, lib. xxxiii. c. 4.

[190]Melpomene, c. 196.Dr. Shaw (p. 302) speaks of the same mode of traffic, at present, between the Moors and Negroes: whence the place of traffic ought to be very far removed from the Mediterranean. There is a similar story related by Cadamosta of the exchange of salt for gold, in Melli; and by Dr. Wadstrom on the windward coast of Guinea.

[190]Melpomene, c. 196.

Dr. Shaw (p. 302) speaks of the same mode of traffic, at present, between the Moors and Negroes: whence the place of traffic ought to be very far removed from the Mediterranean. There is a similar story related by Cadamosta of the exchange of salt for gold, in Melli; and by Dr. Wadstrom on the windward coast of Guinea.

[191]See Euterpe, c. 32.; and Melpomene, c. 197.

[192]The common boundary of the Moors and Negroes, in themapof Mr. Park’s route, is described by a blue line.

[193]The Moors appear to be masters of the northern bank of the Senegal through the greatest part of its navigable course: the Foulahs of the southern bank.

[194]The Emperor of Morocco is said to have held, at one period, the sovereignty of some of the countries on the northern banks of the Senegal and Niger rivers. Labat, Vol. iii. p. 339, speaks of incursions made by his troops.

[195]Af. Assoc. Q. p. 126: O. p. 191.

[196]Page 4.

[197]The Arabs and Moors, callNigritiaby the general name ofSoudan. ByBelad Soudan, or the country of Soudan, Abulfeda includes all the known part of Africa, south of the Great Desert, and Egypt. With him, Soudan is the southern quarter of the globe. D’Herbelot also allows it a wide range.Affnoois another term for Nigritia, in use amongst the natives themselves. (See also Proceedings Af. Assoc. Q. p. 164: O. p. 246.)

[198]TheSoluentiiof Ptolemy may also be meant for theSolimaniof Mr. Park.

[199]And it may also have been the scene of the traffic mentioned inpage lxxxvii;as Dr. Wadstrom speaks of such a custom in this quarter, at the present day.

[200]Pliny (lib. v. c. 8.) also speaks of theLeucæthiopes, but seems to place them onthis sideof Nigritia. May it not be, that certain tribes of Foulahs were then established, as at present, along the Senegal river!

Theincident of the Negro Song, related in the 15th Chapter of this work (p. 198), having been communicated to a Lady, who is not more distinguished for her rank, than for her beauty and accomplishments; she was pleased to think so highly of this simple and unpremeditated effusion, as to make a version of it with her own pen; and cause it to be set to music by an eminent Composer. With this elegant production, in both parts of which the plaintive simplicity of the original is preserved and improved, the Author thinks himself highly honoured in being permitted to adorn his book; and he laments only that he had not an opportunity of inserting it in its proper place in the body of the work.

I.Theloud wind roar’d, the rain fell fast;The White Man yielded to the blast:He sat him down, beneath our tree;For weary, sad, and faint was he;And ah, no wife, or mother’s care,For him, the milk or corn prepare:CHORUS.The White Man, shall our pity share;Alas, no wife or mother’s care,For him, the milk or corn prepare.II.The storm is o’er; the tempest past;And Mercy’s voice has hush’d the blast.The wind is heard in whispers low;The White Man, far away must go;—But ever in his heart will bearRemembrance of the Negro’s care.CHORUS.Go, White Man, go;—but with thee bearThe Negro’s wish, the Negro’s prayer;Remembrance of the Negro’s care.

Theloud wind roar’d, the rain fell fast;

The White Man yielded to the blast:

He sat him down, beneath our tree;

For weary, sad, and faint was he;

And ah, no wife, or mother’s care,

For him, the milk or corn prepare:

CHORUS.The White Man, shall our pity share;Alas, no wife or mother’s care,For him, the milk or corn prepare.

CHORUS.

The White Man, shall our pity share;

Alas, no wife or mother’s care,

For him, the milk or corn prepare.

II.The storm is o’er; the tempest past;And Mercy’s voice has hush’d the blast.The wind is heard in whispers low;The White Man, far away must go;—But ever in his heart will bearRemembrance of the Negro’s care.

II.

The storm is o’er; the tempest past;

And Mercy’s voice has hush’d the blast.

The wind is heard in whispers low;

The White Man, far away must go;—

But ever in his heart will bear

Remembrance of the Negro’s care.

CHORUS.Go, White Man, go;—but with thee bearThe Negro’s wish, the Negro’s prayer;Remembrance of the Negro’s care.

CHORUS.

Go, White Man, go;—but with thee bear

The Negro’s wish, the Negro’s prayer;

Remembrance of the Negro’s care.

Songfrom Mr. Park’s TravelsThe Words by the Dutchess of Devonshire.The Music by G. G. Ferrari.

[Music sheet]

Transcriber's note:Changes in theERRATAhave been made.pg22Changed: "dwelling houses the Mandigoes" to: "Mandingoes"pg34Changed: "inhabitants are Mandigoes" to: "Mandingoes"pg39Changed: "under all the cirumstances" to: "circumstances"pg98Changed: "Some Particu-culars concerning" to: "Particulars"pg138Changed: "compel me, though a Christain" to: "Christian"pg162Changed: "(said he); “the boy" to: "(said he); the boy"pg172Changed: "one way or the the other" to: "one way or the other"pg282Changed: "aquired the proper shade" to: "acquired"pgxvii(footnote abelow ftn. 50) Changed: "arrangement of th matter" to: "the"pgxliChanged: "50 journies of he caravan" to: "the"pglviii(footnote 103) Changed: "Af. Assos." to: "Assoc."pglxvChanged: "means Barbary, call" to: "means Barbary) call"pglxxviChanged: "may be proper to oberve" to: "observe"pglxxxChanged: "his decription of the rivers" to: "description"Other spelling inconsistencies have been left unchanged.New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.

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