usefulness of its institution would have been acknowledged
by posterity.
But happily the Journal of Mr. Park’s travels to the
Niger, and that of Mr. Horneman’s journey from Cairo
to Mourzouk, will fully shew, that the attainments of
the Society are no longer narrowed to the mere rudiments
of discovery, which tradition and ingenious
inference, alone before supplied.
Even under the inauspicious circumstances: of wars
and revolutions which from nearly the date of the
establishment of the Society, have spread desolation
far and wide, and in the year 1 7 98, reached to the
very capital of Africa; their chosen emissaries have
surmounted all the dangers and difficulties,, which
these events superadded to the ordinary risk of enterprise.
It should not be omitted, that the traveller, (whose
work is now submitted to the public,) was further
indebted to the liberal and enlightened spirit, which
directs the genius of truly great men to foster useful
arts and sciences amidst the horrors of war; and give
orders to the armies under their command, to forbear
all molestation of the emissary from even an hostile
country, whose intentions and pursuits are directed to
objects of common value and concern, to the nations
of the world at large.
Under such patronage and protection from the General
Bonaparte, and with his special passport and
safeguard, Frederick Horneman safely reached the
caravan passing from Mecca, and ptfrsued, andacCóni-
plished his jourftey from Cairo to the kingdom of
Fezzan ; which from the general resort of caravans to
its Capital, Mourzouk, may be considered as the proper
post of direction and outfit; for his further travels to
the remotest regions of Africa.
In planning the routes of Park and of Horneman,
the Society availed itself of former communications,
sagaciously discriminated the proper path of research,
and have to exult in the success of each adventure.
These emissaries have explored roads which shortly
mercantile adventure will, and must enter. In this
new race of- commerce, shame indeed Would it be to
our national councils, could it possibly be supposed
that from the default of patronage and support of
Government, Our commercial people may lose the start
for a- priority of factories and establishments o f trade,
and permit other nations to usurp the varitage grotind