future plan for turning the knowledge thence derived
to account.
Mr. Ledyard died at Cairo, eré his eager ártd enterprising
spirit could even start towards its object. Mi.
Lucas, deteired by impending difficulties and dangers,
proceeded not further than to Mesurata, seven days
journey.S. E. of Tripoly; there collected informations-
from the Shereef Imhammed, and traders of Fezzan,
and then measured his road back to Tripoly; 2tid
shortly after returned to England.
The Society, with that persevering spirit which
e v e r distinguishes manly minds, engaged on sound
p r in c ip le s , and for rioble purposes, were not appalled
by the death of one emissary, or the failure of another.
They sought out and appoihted a new traveller, and
to take a new road. Mr. Ledyard was to have penetrated
fruía the e a s t ,Mr. L u c a s from the north; Major Houghton
was appointed in the year 17 90, to sail for the mouth
of the Gambia, and to traverse the country from west
to east: Major Houghton arrived on the coast of Africa
November 1K>, of that year, immediately commenced
his journey, ascended, the Gambia to Medina, 900
miles (by'the water-course) distant from the mouth of
the river, and thence proceeded to Bambouk and to
the adjoining kingdom of Kasson; where, in September
17 91, he unfortunately terminated his travels with his
life, near to the town of Jarra. Mr. Park, who was
engaged in the service of the Society, in 1 7 95, more
successfully followed the route of Major Houghton,
and further explored to the banks of the Niger, to
Sego, and to Silla, the first o f that great line of populous
and commercial cities, dividing the southern from
the northern deserts of Africa ; and the very existence
of which, for centuries past, hath been rather matter of
rumour than of information ; and been made the subject
of philosophic romance,* in default o f authentic
account and description.
The informations of Mr. Park were communicated
to the Society at their annual Meeting in May 1 7 98.
The year 17 98 will ever be noted, as the niemo-
rahle epoch, when the researches of this Society announced
to the world the course of the Niger, from
west to east; and, after the distance of 2 300 years,
corroborated the testimony of the Nasamones, and accounts
of Herodotus, contested during that long period
by ancient and later writers, and ultimately rejected
* By Bishop Berkeley.
c 2