CHAPTER III. Construction o f the Geography o f M r . P a r k ’s E x p ed ition into A fr ica . J n e x t proceed to the detail o f M r . P a rk ’s geographical materials. Should it be objected that I have been too diffuse and particular, in this part, I can o n ly say, that since the information itself co u ld n o t, from its nature be correct, it became the more necessary to investigate it closely, and also to place, n o t on ly the result, but the d e ta il o f the investigation, together with the or igin al documents themselves, in the form o f notes, in the hands o f the p ublic, that the true grounds o f the construction, might b e known. F o r whether it may happen, that no further lights should e v e r be obtained concerning the s u b je c t ; o r whether some other traveller, more fortunate (for he cannot possess more zeal, enterprize, temper, o r firmness) should complete M r . P a rk ’s w o r k ; in either case, the original documents, as well as the mode o f working them up , should be re co rd ed ; in the former, that we may k n ow h ow to appreciate them; in the latter, how best to improve them. T h e successor o f M r . P a rk , cannot have too extensive a knowledge o f the detail o f his predecessor’s w o r k ; in order that he may know what parts require c o r r e c tio n ; and how to a v o id delays, from a useless attention to objects, that are already attained. T w o new Maps have been constructed fo r the occasion. T h e one contains the P r o g r e s s o f D i s c o v e r y a n d I m p r o v e m e n t in various parts o f No r th A f r ic a ; the other, the G e o g r a p h y o f M r . P a r k ’ s E x p e d i t i o n , as well as the result o f his particular inquiries in the same q u a r te r ; on a more extended scale. T h e present remarks and discussions refer particu la r ly to the latter. In the construction o f this map, it is first required to state those points, on which M r . P a rk ’s outset depen ds ; as also those which affect the position APTEND.IX. x x iii o f F o rt St. Joseph, near to which he passed; as they differ from the maps in present use. A n d , as some positions in the jo u rn e y o f Mess. W a t t and W in te rb o ttom , serve v e ry much to aid the improvement o f the geography, it will be proper to speak o f them also. C a p e V e rd , and F o r t St. Louis, at the mouth o f the Senegal r iv e r , are placed according to the observations and results o f M . F leu r ieu .* J illifrey, on the Gamb ia r iv e r is, from the mean o f the longitudes set forth b y D ’A n v ille , D ’Apres, and W o o d v ille , and which d o not differ amongst themselves, more than 4-J m in u te s .t T h e detail o f the coasts, as well as the lower parts o f the rivers between C a p eV e rd , and C ape V e rg a , are also from the charts o f M . W o o d v ille . T h a t part between C a p e V e rd and latitude 18°, is adjusted to M . F leurieu’s result o f longitude, whilst the particulars are from D ’A n v ille and W o o d v ille . T h e course o f the R io Grande from the sea to the break near the riv er D u n so, is from D r . W a ds trom ’s map. T h e D u n so river, crossed b y Mr. W a tt, appears evidently to be a continuation o f the same r iv e r ; several branches o f which flow from the south-east. A n d the high tract o f m ountainous land beyond it, is no doubt a branch o f the great ridge ab o v e commemorated, under the name o f K om r i, in the w o rk o f A bu lfed a. T h e route o f M r . W a t t is described from a sketch communicated b y the late M r . B e a u f o y , J in which the scale appears, on a reference to the original jo u rn a l, to be intended fo r B r i t i s h miles. I have regarded them * That is, Cape Verd in latitude 14° 48', longitude 17° 34' west o f Greenwich: St. Louis in latitude 16° 5' (by D ’Anville), longitude 160 8' by Fleurieu. f D ’Anville i6° 9' 30" "| D’Apres ” 16 5 o I Mean, 160 7' Woodville 16 8 3 J Latitude 130 16'. X The public cannot but recollect the obligations due to this gentleman, on the score o f his persevering industry, and laudable zeal, in the work of extending our knowledge o f the interior parts o f Africa. Accordingly his loss to society, in this department, is likely to be felt for some time, i f not for ever: the researches in Africa being a path of his own choosing} a path which, more than any other person, he had contributed to open, and to render smooth} and in which he seemed destined to succeed !
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