INTRODUCTION. IX

THE CONTINENT.

The continent of Africa, the discovery of which has baffled the enterprise of Europe, (un-

like every other part of the habitable world,)

still remains, as it were, a sealed book, at least,

if the book has been opened, we have scarcely

got beyond the title-page.

Great merit is due to the enterprise of tra-

vellers. The good intention of the African

Association, in promoting scientific researches

in this continent, cannot (by the liberal) be

doubted. But something more than this is

necessary to embark successfully in this gigantic

undertaking. I never thought that the system

of solitary travellers would produce any bene-

ficial result. The plan of the expedition of Major Peddie and Captain Tuckie was still more objectionable than the solitary plan, and

I have reason to think, that no man possessing any personal knowledge of Africa, ever enter-

tained hopes of the success of those expeditions. Twenty years ago I declared it as my decided

opinion, that the only way to obtain a know- ledge of this interesting continent, is through

the medium of commercial intercourse. The more our experience of the successive failure of our African expeditions advances, the more

strongly am I confirmed in this opinion. If we are to succeed in this great enterprise, we must step out of the beaten path — the road of

error, that leads to disappointment— the road