attainments might readily be engrafted upon, they sent him, at the
expense of the Society, to Gottingen ; there to study the rudiments
and writing of the Arabic language, and, generally, such sciences
as (in the result of due application of the , knowledge acquired),
might render any account of his future travels more interesting
and useful to his employers, and to the public.
F. Horneman pursued the requisite studies for several months
with great assiduity, under the tuition of Professors Blumenbach,
Heeren, Hoffman, Tyschen, and Hey ne; and in May, 1797, re-«-
turned to England, properly instructed for his intended voyage.
He was then introduced to a general meeting of the Society, when
his engagement was approved of, and he was directed to proceed
to Egypt with all convenient dispatch.
Passports from Paris were applied for, and granted, permitting
him to pass through France; and in July, 1797, he left London on
his way to Paris.
He was furnished with letters of introduction to several persons
of literary distinction in that capital; and, on arrival, his reception
was liberal and friendly, and proportionate to the lively interest
which was every where taken in his scheme of enterpnze, and in
the means of promoting its success. He was invited to a meeting
of the National Institute. The first members of that learned society
tendered their patronage, encouragement, and assistance : Mr. La-
lande furnished him with copies of his « Mémoire sur L'Afrique/*
Mr. Broussonet recommended him to Mr. Laroche, appointed Consul
for Mogadore; and by this latter gentleman’s means he made
a further and most useful acquaintance with a Turk of distinction
(a native of Tripoly), then resident at Paris. This Mussulman
entered into the motives and plan of his travels with a liberal approbation,
and a zealous interest in the success; wliich was little to have
been expected from one of such persuasion and character. He gave
Mr. Horneman letters of introduction, strongly recommending him
to the friendship and protection of several leading Mahommedan
merchants at Cairo, who were in the habits of trade with people of
the remotest regions of Africa; and he added his own advice, and
instructions for the journey.
Thus provided, Mr. Horneman, in August, left Paris for Marseilles,
where he embarked the end of the month, and arrived at
Alexandria the middle of September: he staid at Alexandria but a
few days, and then went to Cairo, where he purposed residing some
time, to study the language and manners of the Mograbins, or
western Arabs, with whom he was to associate in his future travels.
His own letter will best describe his further progress.
( T r a n s la t io n . )
ct SlR, Cairoy August 31, 1798.
“ In my last letter I mentioned my intentions of leaving Cairo
about the end of May. The plague beginning to rage in the month
of April, it became a proper and necessary precaution not only to
defer my journey, but absolutely to shut myself up in my house.
d 2