This intelligence of Park may be considered some corroboration of what I have maintained respecting the union of waters between the Eastern and Western Niles. [263]
The following testimonies are some confirmation of my report respecting decked vessels, &c. in the interior of Africa. [264]
Dr. Stetzen, a German physician residing at Alexandria [265], says, that he has received intelligence from a pilgrim, on his way to Mecca, a native of Ber Noh, or Bernou [266], that the river within a mile of the city is as large as the Egyptian Nile, and overflows its banks; it is navigated by vessels of considerable dimensions, carrying sails and oars.
Footnote 263:[ (return) ] See Monthly Magazine, March, 1817, page 125.
Footnote 264:[ (return) ] See Jackson's enlarged Account of Marocco, &c. page 309.
Footnote 265:[ (return) ] For full particulars, see New Supp. to Ency. Brit. article "Africa."
Footnote 266:[ (return) ] This Bernou, or according to the Arabic orthography, Ber Noh, is asserted by the Arabs to be the birth-place of the Patriarch Noah.
Mr. Barnes states, that the Niger discharges itself into a large lake; that he has heard from the Black traders that there are white inhabitants upon the borders of this lake; and has been told, by people who have seen them, that they dress in the style of Barbary Moors, and wear turbans, but do not speak Arabic. See Report of Committee of Council. [267]
Footnote 267:[ (return) ] See Jackson's enlarged Account of Marocco, &c. p, 309.
Park, in his second journey, was informed, that "one month's travel south of Baedo, through the kingdom of Grotto, will bring the traveller to the country of the Christians, who have their houses on the banks of the Ba Seafeena [268], which they describe as incomparably larger than the lake Dehebby (Dibbie)."--This is another corroboration of the accuracy of my account of the interior of Africa; but before I dismiss this subject, I should observe, that from the general ignorance of the African Arabic, an important circumstance respecting this Ba Seafeena, is not yet (it appears) discovered. It is this:--the words Ba Seafeena, or, according to the correct Arabic orthography, Bahar Sefeena, literally translated into English, signifies the Sea of Ships, and is evidently only another name for the Sea of Sudan, declaring it to be a sea wherein ships are found!