PR E F A C E .
I t is not without considerable anxiety and reluctance
that this volume is submitted to tbe public. Having
contributed my botanical notes, drawings, and meteorological
registers to Captain Speke, I never dreamt of
a separate publication. My Journal, however, was a
very copious one, daily entries having been made
during our expedition; and some personal friends seeing
these notes, conceived that a selection from them,
describing domestic scenes in Central Africa, might
not be unacceptable. The geographical part of the
expedition, and its brilliant result, had been fully
treated by my lamented fellow-traveller j but further
details as to the ordinary life and pursuits, the habits
and feelings of the natives, and the products of the
country, appeared likely to possess a certain degree
of interest, if not of value. This opinion was entertained
by Captain Speke himself, who addressed
