LAKE QUIFFUA-THE MOLWAS.

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reached, in twenty-seven days, the Soba Baka, who, in consideration of liberal presents, granted him a passage. Penetrating through the states of Humé and Mucangano he came to the great lake of Quiffua, which is described to be about fifty-five leagues in circumference, and eight in breadth at the southern extremity, extending between the third and fifth degrees of south latitude, and the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth of east longitude. It is represented as resembling the Lake Asphaltites, being surrounded by naked cliffs, whence bitumen flows; having naphtha floating on its waters, which do not contain any fish, and filling the atmosphere with a disagreeable odour. He imagines it to be the Maravi; an opinion in which, though it is adopted by M. Eyriès, we are unable to concur. The information respecting the position of that lake is no doubt very vague; but, according to the best accounts, it is only 200 or 300 miles from the eastern coast, while the Quiffua is upwards of 1000. The Maravi, too, is much farther south, in about the tenth degree of latitude. Lastly, it is represented as far exceeding the dimensions of the Quiffua, and resembling an inland sea.

The traveller came next to Yanvo, the capital of the Molwas, a people more civilized and industrious than any he had seen in this part of Africa. He was told that city contained a population of 100,000, but he does not believe it exceeded half that number. He ascended the mountain Zambi, the loftiest peak in this part of Africa, estimated at 15,340 feet above the sea. The king showed a great deal of intelligence, and on examining the scientific instruments became sensible of his mistake in sup

posing them dedicated to the magical art. This prince accompanied Douville in several excursions; but he refused to ascend the Zambi along with him, that he might not violate a law of the country which prohibits every native from exploring it. This restriction arose, it is said, from the superstitious belief that the volcano on its summit is the entrance to the other world.

Douville, in returning, visited a sovereign named Bomba, whose capital lies in the fourth degree of north latitude. The country is traversed by a great river running from the north-west, and said to arise out of a lake which he supposes to be the Tchad; but had he carefully studied the geography of that piece of water, he could not have come to such a conclusion. Nor can we help wondering that he should have listened to the wild story of this river sinking under the Mountains of the Moon, and then issuing from beneath them. At Concobella he crossed the Congo, and proceeded once more to the coast at Ambriz.

RICHARD AND JOHN LANDER.

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CHAPTER XIV.

Landers' Discovery of the Termination of the Niger. Expedition undertaken by Richard and John Lander-Arrival at Cape Coast At Badagry-Annoyances there-Journey to Eyeo The royal Wives-Yarriban Females-Superstitions-Human Sacrifices-The Fellatas-Alorie-Journey to Kiama-Aspect of the Country and People-Journey to Boussa-ReceptionThe Widow Zuma-Voyage up the Niger to Youri-Interviews with the King-Description of Youri-King's Daughters-Return to Boussa-Journey to Wawa-Final Residence at Boussa -Disposal of Goods-Late Changes in Central Africa-Attempts to recover Park's Journal-Voyage to Patashie-Lever—Disappointment respecting a Canoe-Bajiebo-Aspect of the Niger -Belee-King of the Dark Water-Zagoshi-Rabba The Coodoonia-Egga-Dangers to be apprehended in going down the River-Kacunda-Dreadful Alarm at Bocqua-Reconciliation-Damuggoo-Good Reception-Kirree-They are attacked and plundered-Obtain some Redress-Conveyed to Eboe-Negotiation for Ransom-King Boy-Voyage to Brass TownRichard Lander conveyed to an English Ship-Behaviour of Captain Lake-Boy's Return-John Lander conveyed to the Vessel-Arrival at Fernando Po-Supposed Fate of LakePirates-Voyage to England-Range of the Thermometer at different Points-General Result of this Expedition.

THE journeys of Denham and Clapperton made a great accession to our knowledge of Interior Africa. These travellers completed a diagonal section from Tripoli to the Gulf of Benin; they explored numerous kingdoms, either altogether unknown, or indicated only by the most imperfect rumour. New mountains, lakes, and rivers, had been discovered

Its

and delineated; yet the course of the Niger remained wrapt in mystery nearly as deep as ever. stream had been traced very little lower than Boussa, which Park had reached, and where his career was brought to so fatal a termination. The unhappy issue of Clapperton's last attempt chilled for a time the zeal for African discovery. But that high spirit of adventure which animates Britons was soon found acting powerfully in a quarter where there was least reason to expect it. The narrative of the journey just mentioned exhibited in Richard Lander, not only the warmest fidelity, but an intelligence above his rank in life. Partaking of the ardour that inspired his master, he endeavoured, in his return towards the coast, to follow a direction which, but for unforeseen circumstances, would have issued in solving the grand problem. After reaching England he still cherished the same spirit; and, undeterred by the recollection of so much peril and hardship, tendered his services to make one effort more, in order to reach the mouth of this mysterious river. His offer was accepted, but on terms which make it abundantly evident that the enterprise was not undertaken from any mercenary impulse. In return for again encountering numerous perils of death or captivity, he was to be furnished with only such a sum of money and other supplies as were absolutely necessary for his journey; his wife was to receive a moderate aliment during his absence; and himself, on coming home, was to be rewarded with a gratuity of one hundred pounds. His brother John, in compliance with his own earnest wish, was permitted to accompany him, but without the stipulation of any recompense whatever.

CAPE COAST-BADAGRY.

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The two brothers set sail from Portsmouth on the 9th January 1830, in the Alert, which had on board Mr Maclean, President of the Council at Cape Coast Castle. They reached that settlement on the 22d February, and mention in the highest terms the hospitable reception experienced there, as well as at Anamaboe from Mr Hutchinson, a gentleman who had been engaged in the first mission to Ashantee. "His silken banners, his turreted castle, his devoted vassals, his hospitality, and even his very solitariness," reminded them of an old English baron in the feudal times. At Cape Coast, Richard engaged his old friend Pascoe, who proved a most valuable assistant to the party. They were afterwards joined by Antonio son to the chief of Bonny, who justly calculated that by descending the Great River he would reach his native city.

The party sailed from Cape Coast for Accra, which they quitted on the 15th March, and landed on the 22d at Badagry. Their dress, a huge straw hat with scarlet tobe and Turkish trousers, excited bursts of laughter among the inhabitants, whose behaviour, however, was otherwise friendly and respectful. They were introduced next morning to Adooley the king, who received them with extreme apathy and coldness, of which they complain grievously, but which are afterwards sufficiently accounted for. The fortunes of this personage had been singular. A younger son to the ruler of Lagos, he had been encouraged by his father's nomination, and the support of a powerful party, to advance pretensions to the sovereignty, to the exclusion of an elder brother; but the people, attached to the rights of primogeniture, drove out him and his adherents, and