MUNGO PARK. |
| Born 1771.—Died 1806. |
| [Born at Fowlshiels, near Selkirk—Receives a respectable education—Boundapprentice to a surgeon—Finishes his education at Edinburgh—Removesto London—Becomes known to Sir Joseph Banks—Appointedsurgeon to the Worcester, East Indiaman—Engaged by theAfrican Association to ascertain the course of the Niger—Sailsfrom England—Arrives at Jillifica—Unknown species of fish—Alligators—Hippopotami—Pisania—Dr.Laidley—Studies the Mandingo language—Attackedby fever and delirium—Horrors of the rainy season inAfrica—Wild beasts—Departs from Pisania—Surrounded by a bodyof the natives—Visits the King of Woolli—Obtains a guide—Elephant-hunters—Presentshis coat to the chief of Fatteconda—Major Houghton—Limitedterritories of the African kings—Suggestion by whichAfrica may be effectually explored—Folly of despatching a solitarytraveller—A night journey—Solitary forest—Dangers from wild beasts—HospitableMohammedan—Festival in honour of his arrival—Negrodances—Joag—Robbed of half his merchandise—Humanity of a femaleslave—Kasson—Robbed a second time—Affectionate meetingbetween the blacksmith and his relations—Maternal affection—Curiosityexcited by the presence of a white man—Kooniakary—Audiencewith the king—Advised to retrace his footsteps—Romanticscenery—Cheapness of provisions—Superstition of his Mohammedanguide—Terrifies two negro horsemen—Is mistaken for a demon—Kaarta—Buglehornsformed of elephants’ teeth—Receives permissionto depart—Jarra—Visits Ali the King of Ludamar—Despatches hisjournal to the Gambia—Is robbed—Barbarous treatment of Park byAli and his Moorish countrymen—Placed in a hut with a wild boar—Ischosen royal barber—Pillaged of the remainder of his property—Superstitiouscuriosity—Is threatened with death or mutilation—Torturedfor Moorish amusement—Robbed of his slave-boy—Affectingscene—Attempts to escape—Departs in the night—Stopped androbbed of his cloak—Nearly perishes from hunger and thirst—Stormin the desert—Multitude of frogs—Compelled to wander through thewoods—Subsists on wild berries—Enters the kingdom of Bambarra—Mistakenfor a Moor—Destitute condition—Comes within sight ofthe Niger—Joy at effecting the object of his mission—Sego—Refusedentrance into the city—Humanity of a woman—Receives a presentfrom the king of Bambarra—Sansanding—Hospitable reception—Isrequested to write a saphie, or charm—Camelopard—Encounters alion—Moodiboo—Loses his horse—Reaches Silla—Exhausted withfatigue and sickness—Unable to proceed—Resolves to return—Song—Deniedentrance into the village—In danger of being devoured bylions—Stripped and robbed by a band of peasants—Overwhelmedwith grief and terror—Derives consolation from religious reflections—Sibidooloo—Regainshis horse and other property—Unites himselfto a slave caravan—Obtains a common prayer-book—Arrives at Pisania—Returnsto England—Singular interview with his brother-in-law—Receivedwith distinguished honour by the African Association—Publisheshis travels—Returns to Scotland—Marries—Practises as asurgeon at Peebles—Becomes disgusted with an obscure life—Appointedchief conductor of a second expedition into the interior ofAfrica, under the sanction of the British government—Sails fromPortsmouth—Arrives at Pisanio—Sets out with the party for the interior—Dreadfullystung by a swarm of bees—The journey nearly putan end to by this event—Rainy season—The whole party sick—Gold-pits—Soldiersbecome delirious—Numbers die, or are left behind—Attackedby wild beasts—Cut off by the natives—Guide attacked andwounded by a crocodile—Remarkable presence of mind—Robbed bytwo African princes—Encounters three lions—Arrives on the banksof the Niger—Opens a bazaar—Death of Mr. Scott—Mission reducedto a very small number—Death of Mr. Anderson—Embarks on theNiger—Conclusion of his journal—Isaaco’s account of his death—CaptainClapperton’s corroboration—Character—Sir Walter Scott] | 13 |
PETER SIMON PALLAS. |
| Born 1741.—Died 1811. |
| [Born at Berlin—Educated as a surgeon—Studies natural history—VisitsHolland—England—Publishes his first great work—Acceptsan appointment in the Academy of St. Petersburg—Catherine II.—Engagesin the Russian enterprise for observing the transit of Venus—Setsout from St. Petersburg—Gadflies—River Jemlia—Pearl muscles—Arrivesat Moscow—Marine sponges used for painting thecheeks—Rhubarb—Vlodimir—Cherry-orchards—Tartar princes—Goitres—Extremefilthiness of the Russians—Severe cold—Mules betweenthe goat and sheep—Sulphurous springs—Environs of Sumara—Travelson sledges—Skeletons of elephants—Tizran—Excessive heat—Villageunroofed by a hurricane—River Volga—Ancient tombs—Giganticbones—Kalmuc camp—Archery—Botanical excursions—Marshflies—Kirghees—Orenburg—Golden eagles—Falconry—Valueof a trained hawk—Salt-mines—Chinese caravan—Jasper mountains—Jaspertombs—Ruins of Sarai—Embarks upon the Caspian Sea—Arrangeshis Journal—Floods—Hurricanes—Bottomless pit—Furiouswild dogs—Beehives—Method of protecting the hives from the bears—Volcano—Burningforest—Cotton produced from the poplar-tree—Loseshimself in a forest—Curious method of passing a river—Asbestosmountain—The mind abhors an uninterrupted calm—Insipidmethod of travelling—Method of preparing Russia leather in Siberia—Cheliabinsk—Departsfor Eastern Siberia—Extensive conflagration—Steppeof Ischimi—Aquatic game—White herons—Arrives at Omsk—Refusedpermission to inspect the Siberian maps there—Banks ofthe Irtish—Continual storms—Method of preserving furs from themoth—Encounters an enormous wolf—Ancient mines—Attacked bydysentery—Prodigious tomb—Enormous lump of solid gold—Visitsthe Altaïc mountains—Sublime scenery—Black sparrows—CrossesLake Baikal in a sledge—Rugged and sublime scenery—Tremendousstorm—Hunting the sea-dog—Mongolia—Borders of China—Hishealth declines—Blue crow—Locusts—Tartar hordes—Intense cold—Preparesfor his return to Petersburg—Execrable manner of peoplingSiberia—Perilous adventure—Wild horses—Ancient shores ofthe Caspian—Repairs to Moscow—Arrives at Petersburg—Prematureold age—Publishes his travels, &c.—M. Cuvier—Theory of theearth—Traverses the southern provinces of Russia—Dies at Berlin—Character] | 65 |
CARSTEN NIEBUHR. |
| Born 1733.—Died 1815. |
| [Born in the province of Friesland—Studies music—Intends practisingas a land-surveyor—Celebrated Reiske—Engaged to accompany ascientific expedition into Arabia—Goes to Copenhagen—Appointedlieutenant of engineers—Liberality of the Danish Minister—Proceedsto Marseilles—White rainbow—Transit of Venus—Malta—Serpents—Malteseknights—Efforts to convert Niebuhr to Catholicism—GreatChurch of St. John—Prodigious wealth—Hospital—Sails to Smyrna—Tenedos—Attackedby dysentery—Proceeds to Constantinople—Assumesthe oriental costume—Sails for Egypt—Rhodes—Turkisheating-house—Wine-drinkers—Female slaves—Amusing story—Plague—Egypt—Pompey’spillar—Turkish merchant and the telescope—Laughableanecdote—Mr. Forskaal stripped of his breeches—Rosetta—Arrivesat Cairo—The river Nile—Pirates—Bruce the traveller—Curiousanecdote of robbers—The Virgin on horseback—Churchesstrewed with crutches—Arrives at Damietta—Boats loadedwith beehives—Europeans detested at Damietta—Encountered by ayoung sheïkh—Visits the Pyramids—Observations on them—Sets outfor Suez—Advantages of travelling on dromedaries—Trade of Suez—Roseof Jericho—Mountain of Inscriptions—Arab women—Is refusedadmission into the monastery of St. Catherine—Deserted by his guides—Ascendsa portion of Mount Sinai—Voyage from Suez to Jidda—Blackeunuch—Elim—Is protected by some Janizaries—Emeraldmountains—Forskaal taken for a physician—Laughable story—Shipin danger of being set on fire—Indiscreet curiosity—Jidda—Custom-houseextortions—Forbidden to approach the Mecca gate—Curiousmethod of catching wild ducks—Sails for Loheia—Yemen—Bedouins—Politenessof the emir—Hospitable treatment—Curiosity of theArabs—Dr. Cramer requested to prescribe for the emir’s horse—Amusinganecdote of two young Arabs—Great coffee emporium ofBeit el-Fakih—Description of the coffee plantations—Danger of travellingby day—Niebuhr is mistaken for an Arab—Is supposed to besearching for gold—Balm of Mecca—Is seized with illness—Mokha—Ludicrousanecdote—Death of Von Haven—Of Forskaal—Difficultyof obtaining a place of burial—Polite reception at Sana—Obtains anaudience of the imam—Sails for India—Arrives at Bombay—Deathof Baurenfeind—Forwards his manuscripts to Copenhagen—Sails forthe Persian gulf—Phosphoric fires—Troop of dolphins—History ofNadir Shah—Sir W. Jones—Visits Shiraz—Superstition respectingmanner of killing a fowl—Visits a Turkoman camp—Anecdote—Arrivesat Shiraz—Hospitable reception by an Englishman—Palace—Persepolis—Arabsheïkh—Dialogue with the moollah of a mosque respectingmarriage—Ruins of Babylon—Proceeds with a Jewish caravan—Turkishfirman—Devil worshippers—Cowardice of his companions—Adventurewith an Arab sheïkh—Dr. Patrick Russel—OrientalChristians—Visits Palestine—Mount Taurus—Baber Khan—Returnsto Europe—Arrives at Copenhagen—Publishes his variousworks—Marries—Quits the capital—Appointed secretary of the districtat Meldorf—Anecdotes and character of Niebuhr by his son—Illiberalitytowards Bruce—Account of Niebuhr’s latter days—Illness—Death] | 99 |
CHOISEUL-GOUFFIER. |
| Born 1752.—Died 1817. |
| [Incompleteness of the biography of celebrated men—Born at Paris of anillustrious family—His passion for the fine arts—Taste for literature—Fallsin love—Marries—Adopts the profession of arms—Obtainsthe rank of colonel—Sails for Greece—His enthusiasm for antiquity—Visitsthe Grecian Isles—Occupies himself in drawing—Grotto of Antiparos—Opinionsrespecting its construction—Proceeds to Lemnos,Rhodes, &c.—Ruins of Telmissus—River Mæander, Ephesus, Smyrna,and Troy—Homer—Trojan territories—Rivers Simois and Scamander—Remarkablespots in the neighbourhood of Troy—Tombs ofIlus and Patroclus—Camp of the Greeks—Returns to France—Arrangesthe materials of his travels—Flattering reception—Patriotism—ModernGreeks—Elected member of the French Academy—Celebrateddiscourse on the death of D’Alembert—Delille’s poem entitled“Imagination”—Extract applied to Choiseul-Gouffier—Appointed ambassadorto the Ottoman Porte—Acquires the confidence of Halil Pasha,and of Prince Mauro Cordato—Attempts to introduce civilizationamong the Turks—Turkish ship-of-war—Obtains the release of theRussian ambassador—Prevents the imprisonment of the Austrianinternuncio—Protects the Russian and Austrian prisoners—Revisitsthe Troad—Despatches artists to Syria and Egypt—Appointed ambassadorto the court of London—Anecdote of the Count de Cobentzel—EmperorPaul of Russia—Returns to France—Rose harvest ofAdrianople—Personal existence of Homer—Is seized with an apoplecticfit—Dies] | 154 |
JOHN LEWIS BURCKHARDT. |
| Born 1784.—Died 1817. |
| [Descended from an eminent family at Basle—Born at Lausanne—Aversionto republican principles—Detestation of the French—Enters asa student at Leipzig—Removes to Göttingen—Arrives in London—AfricanAssociation—His offers are accepted—Studies Arabic—Allowshis beard to grow—Assumes the oriental dress—Accustoms himselfto endure hardships—Sails from Cowes—Arrives at Malta—Dr. Sectzen—Assumesthe character of an Indian Mohammedan merchant—Reachesthe coast of Syria—Departs for Aleppo—Laughable anecdote—Aga’sdislike to beer and potatoes—Suspected of being a Frank indisguise—Is pulled by the beard and otherwise insulted—Arrives atAleppo—Puts off his Mohammedan dress—Is seized with fever fromthe bites of vermin—Attempts a translation of Robinson Crusoe intoArabic—Sets out in company with an Arab sheïkh for Palmyra—Robbedon the road—Damascus—Arab hospitality—Beautiful scenery—Baalbecand Libanus—Cedars—The Druses—Haurān the patrimonyof Abraham—Vestiges of ancient cities—Places himself underthe protection of an Arab sheïkh—Enters the desert—Is stripped tothe skin, and left exposed to the rays of the sun—Arab lady attemptsto steal his shirt—Returns to Damascus—Dead Sea—Joins a caravan—Philadelphia—Treacheryof the Sheïkh of Kerek—Valley of Ghor—Ruinsof Petra—Arrives at Cairo—Journey into Nubia—Mamelukechiefs—Deadly feud—Hospitality of the Nubians—Romantic scenery—Curiousmode of extorting presents—Admirable custom of placingwater-jars by the road-side—Drunken savages—Palm wine—Contemptfor Mohammed Ali—Descends the Nile—Colossal statues—Anecdoteof an Arab—Assouan—Cheapness of provisions—March of acaravan through the desert—Is treated with great contempt by hiscompanions—Bruce—Burckhardt’s insolent skepticism respectingthat eminent traveller—Extraordinary sufferings—Wady el Nabeh—Scarcityof water—Nubian desert—Lakes of mirage—Is near perishingfrom thirst—Camels despatched to the Nile—Insolence and extortion—Extraordinarymethod of discovering a stolen lamb—Arrives atDamar—Adventure with a Faky—Numerous crocodiles—Romanticscenery—Tremendous effects of a desert storm—Taka—Enormouslions—Effects of the sultan’s firman on his persecutors—Returns toJidda—Attacked by fever—Delicious fruit—Sells his slave—Sets outfor the interior of the Hejah—Arrives at Mecca—Picturesque scenery—Rasel Kora—Tayef—Observations on Burckhardt’s beard—Suspectedof being an English spy—Affects to be hurt by the pasha’s suspicions—Animateddescription of the Hadj, or pilgrimage to Mecca—Setsout for Medina—Is attacked by an intermittent fever—Melancholycondition—Consoles himself by reading Milton—Tomb of Mohammed—Setsout for Yembo—Plague—Pursues his journey to Cairo—Composeshis journal—Excursion to Mount Sinai—Furnishes Belzoniwith money for removing the head of Memnon—Is attacked withdysentery—Dies at Cairo—Character] | 168 |
VOLNEY. |
| Born 1757.—Died 1820. |
| [Born at Craon in Anjou—His name first changed by his father, andafterward by himself—Studies the sciences with ardour—Is bequeatheda small sum of money—Determines to spend it in travelling—Proceedsto Marseilles—Embarks for Egypt—Alexandria—Cairo—Studiesthe Arabic—Defends Herodotus—Proceeds to Syria—DescribesMount Lebanon—Resides in an Arabian convent—Studies theArabic—Visits the tribe of Bedouins—Is invited to reside among them—Describesthe Druzes—Returns to France—Publishes his travels—Acquiresa great reputation—Is compared with Herodotus—Is presentedwith a gold medal by the Empress Catherine—Publishes hisconsiderations on the war between the Turks and Russians—Meditatesthe improvement of agriculture—Is elected a member of the ConstituentAssembly—Connexion with Cabanis and Mirabeau—Anecdote—ReturnsCatherine her medal, and is abused by Grimm—VisitsCorsica—Publishes the “Law of Nature”—Character of that work—Isimprisoned as a royalist—Travels in America—Well received byWashington—Dr. Priestley—Returns to France—Refuses to sharethe honours of Napoleon—Marries—Dies] | 219 |
EDWARD DANIEL CLARKE. |
| Born 1769.—Died 1822. |
| [Born in Sussex—Is an idle student—Saves the life of his brother—Studiesat Cambridge—Loses his father—Proceeds slowly with hisstudies—Fond of miscellaneous reading—Quits the university—Becomesa private tutor—Makes the tour of England—Publishes anaccount of it—Travels with Lord Berwick—Passes the Alps—Italy—Naples—Eruptionof Mount Vesuvius—Is in danger of perishingamong the lava—Engages to travel in Egypt—Returns to England—Isdisappointed—Publishes a periodical work—Is again a privatetutor—Engages to travel with Mr. Cripps—Departs from England—Sweden—Norway—Lapland—Gulfof Finland—St. Petersburg—Pictureof the Russians and their emperor—Moscow—The Crimea—ProfessorPallas—Constantinople—The Plain of Troy—Aboukir—Palestine—Egypt—ThePyramids—Antiquities taken from the French—Islesof Greece—Athens—Mount Parnassus—Returns to England—CreatedLL.D.—Takes orders—Marries—Sells his MSS. and coins—Enjoyspluralities—Sells the copyright of his travels—Lectures onmineralogy—Appointed professor—Studies with enthusiasm—Falls ill—Iscarried to London—Dies] | 238 |
FRANCOIS LE VAILLANT. |
| Born 1753.—Died 1824. |
| [Peculiar excellence of Le Vaillant’s style—Born in Dutch Guyana—Earlypursuits—Is brought to Europe—Studies—Conceives the ideaof travelling—Repairs to Holland—Embarks for the Cape of GoodHope—Arrive—Dutch hospitality—Cape Town—Hurricane—Characterof the colonists—Admiration of the English, and detestation ofthe French—Saldanha Bay—Mutton Island—Gazelle and panther-hunting—Harpooninga whale—The Dane’s grave—Prodigiousclouds of birds—Blowing-up of a ship-of-war—Loss of Le Vaillant’spapers, collections, and travelling-chest—Melancholy—Meets with afriend—Recommences his collections—Prepares for a journey into theinterior—His wagons, merchandise, and arms—Choice of travellingcompanions—Hottentot followers—Departs from Cape Town—Sweetsof liberty—Magnificent scenery—Vast herds of antelopes—Curiousspecies of tortoise—Augments his followers—Arrives on the Dove’sRiver—Pleasant mode of spending his time—African story-teller—Abundanceof game—Seashore—Beautiful district—Fairy-land—Spenser—Gardensof Adonis—Shoots a touraco—Pursues it throughthe woods—Falls into an elephant-snare—Danger and alarm—Escapes—Torrentsof Africa—Verdant palace—Proceeds to the BlackRiver—Accident—Is attacked by illness—Oppressed by melancholy—Recovers—Discoversthe footmarks of elephants—Sets out in chaseof them—Shoots an elephant—Pursues the herd—Is in imminentdanger—Escapes—Exquisite flavour of an elephant’s foot—Falls inwith a tribe of wild Hottentots—Manners and opinions—Approachesthe country of the Kaffers—Terrors of his followers—Despatches messengersinto Kaffer-land—Fury of an African storm—Wild beasts—Meetswith a new tribe of Hottentots—Exchange of presents—Enamouredof a Hottentot girl—Return of his messengers, accompaniedby Kaffers—Dutch spies in the camp—Alarm of the Kaffers—Theirdeparture—Prepares to enter Kaffraria—His people refuse toproceed—Selects a small number of the bravest of his Hottentots forthe expedition—Quits his camp—Enters Kaffraria—Solitude and desertionof the country—Returns—Contemplates his return to theCape—Enormous herds of antelopes—Sublime scenery of the SneuwBergen—The Bushmen—Great scarcity of water—Reaches the Cape—Reposes—Unhappyopinion—Projects a second journey—Preparations—Departure—Nestsof the white ant—Dreadful scarcity of water—Discoversa well in the desert—Elephant’s River—African harpies—Isnear perishing in the Elephant’s River—Abandons his chariotsin the desert—Forerunners of a tempest—Cloud-worshippers—Astorm—Quenches his burning thirst—Visits a Hottentot horde—Hospitality—Isovertaken by a Dutchman, who intoxicates his followers—Terribleaccident—Horrors of the savage life—Proceeds on his journey—Beholdsa giraffe, and kills one—Presence of women in thecamp—Arrives on the frontiers of the Hoozwana country—New terrorsof his followers—Solitude of the desert—Discovers a horde ofHoozwanas—Obtains their friendship—Character of these wild people—Theyreconduct him to his camp on the Gariep—Accident—Oxenstolen by the Bushmen—Follows them to their kraal—Battle—Recovershis cattle, and returns to the camp—Befriends a miserable whitefamily—Is on the point of death—Recovers—Returns to the Cape—Andthen to Europe—Publishes his travels—Dies] | 262 |
BELZONI. |
| [Born at Padua—Is designed for the monastic life—Studies at Rome—Hydraulics—Invasionof Italy by the French—Alters his plan of life—Departsfrom Rome—Arrives in England—Marries—Remains nineyears in Great Britain—Travels through the south of Europe—Malta—Arrivesin Egypt—Enters into the service of the pasha—Constructsan hydraulic machine—View from the Pyramids—Is near being murderedby a soldier—Rebellion of the janizaries—Quits the serviceof the pasha—Undertakes the removal of the Memnon’s head—Ascendsthe Nile—Arrives at Thebes—Magnificence of the ruins—Establisheshimself in the Memnonium—Removes the head to theNile—Visits the Necropolis at Gournon—Loses himself in the sepulchres—Horrorsof the tombs—Proceeds to Assouan—His boat attackedon the Nile—Reaches Deir—Temple of Ipsambul—Ignoranceof the Nubians—Use of money—Returns to Thebes—Embarks thehead of Memnon—Antiquarians—Is shot at in the ruins of Thebes—Descendsthe Nile to Rosetta—Mr. Briggs—Returns to Cairo, andthence again to Thebes—Mummy-pits—Decay of the mummies—Proceedsto Ipsambul—Opens the temple—Sepulchres of the kings—Alabastersarcophagus—Visits the emerald mines on the Red Sea—Returnsto Cairo—Visits the Oasis of Jupiter Ammon—Returns toEngland—Publishes his travels—Proceeds again to Africa—Dies] | 327 |
DOMINIQUE VIVANT DENON. |
| Born 1754.—Died 1825. |
| [Born at Burgundy—Becomes a king’s page—Secretary to the NeapolitanEmbassy—His character and physiognomy—Studies the art of design—Adoptsthe principles of the revolution—Embarks with Napoleonfor Egypt—Arrives at Alexandria—Impressions on entering a newcity—Rosetta—Pursued by the Arabs—Desaix—Visits the Pyramids—Populationof Cairo—Revolt against the French—Danger of Denon—Massacreof four savans—Dissects the mummy of Ibis—Serpent-charmers—Departsfor Upper Egypt—Murad Bey—Battle with theMamelukes—Horrible anecdote—Anecdote of a youthful robber—Ashower of rain—Ruins of Oxyrinchus—Gloomy opinions—Ruins ofHermopolis—Dangerous mode of travelling—Ruins of Denderah—Angerof General Desaix—Anecdote of a French officer—Comes insight of the ruins of Thebes—The whole army halt and clap theirhands—Statues of Ossymandyas—Island of Phile—Khamsyn wind—Journeyto Cosseir—Returns to the Nile—Sails for France—Is madesuperintendent of museums by Napoleon—Directs the casting of thetriumphal column in the Place Vendôme—Dies] | 345 |
REGINALD HEBER. |
| Born 1783.—Died 1826. |
| [Born at Malpas, in the county of Chester—Early piety—Studies at Oxford—Poemof “Palestine”—Recites his work in public—Becomes avolunteer—Loses his father—Travels in Northern Europe—Sweden—Norway—Russia—Ladiesof Moscow—Traverses the Ukraine—Romanticview at Nakitchivan—Tcherkask—Inhabitants of the banksof the Kuban—Traverses the Crimea—Returns to England—Obtainsthe living of Hodnet—Purity and romance of his opinions—Marries—Excellenceas a parish priest—Contributes to the Quarterly Review—Publisheshis poems—Observance of Sunday—Delivers the BamptonLectures—Loses his only child—Illness—Appointed Bishop ofCalcutta—Friendship of the honourable Watkins Williams Wynn—Isexceedingly esteemed and regretted—Sails with his family for India—Piousconduct on board—Arrives in the Ganges—Colour of theHindoos—Reaches Calcutta—Laborious situation—Departs from Calcuttaon his visitation to the Upper Provinces—Scenery of Bengal—Arrivesat Dacca—Visits the Nawâb—Loses his chaplain—Continueshis voyage up the Ganges—Sultan Sujah’s palace—Rosefields of Ghazeepoor—Attarof roses—Reaches Benares—Lucknow—First view ofthe Himalaya—Contrasted with view of Mont Blanc—Approaches theHimalaya—Almorah—Returns towards the south—Delhi—Is presentedto the emperor—Agra—The Taj-mahal—Sir David Ochterlony—TraversesRajpootana—Bombay—Mr. Elphinstone—Ceylon—Calcutta—Madras—Death] | 356 |
THE LIVES
OF
CELEBRATED TRAVELLERS.
MUNGO PARK.
Born 1771.—Died 1806.
This enterprising and distinguished traveller was born on the 10th of September, 1771, at Fowlshiels, a farm occupied by his father on the banks of the Yarrow, near Selkirk. In common with the greater number of the sons of Scottish yeomen, Mungo Park, notwithstanding that the number of his brothers and sisters amounted to no less than thirteen, received a respectable education, and at the age of fifteen was bound apprentice to a surgeon at Selkirk. At the close of this apprenticeship, in 1789, Park continued his medical studies at the university of Edinburgh, where, though nothing remarkable is recorded of him, he seems to have applied with great assiduity to his professional studies. His summer vacations, during one of which he made a tour to the Highlands, were devoted to botany.
Having completed his education, Park removed to London in search of professional employment. Here, through the kindness of Mr. Dickson, his brother-in-law, he had the good fortune to become known to Sir Joseph Banks, to whom so many other distinguished travellers have been indebted; and through whose recommendation he was appointed surgeon to the Worcester East Indiaman. In this capacity he made a voyage to Bencoolen, in Sumatra, the only fruits of which was a paper containing descriptions of eight new fishes from Sumatra, published in the third volume of the Linnæan Transactions.
Shortly after his return from this voyage, Park, learning that the African Association, of which his friend Sir Joseph Banks was a very active and zealous member, were desirous of engaging a person to replace Major Houghton, who, it was feared, had fallen a sacrifice to the climate, or perished in some contest with the natives, eagerly offered his services, which after due deliberation were accepted. The association, he observes, conducted itself with great liberality towards him. He forthwith prepared himself for the voyage, and on the 22d of May, 1795, sailed from Portsmouth in the brig Endeavour. His instructions, he says, were very plain and concise. He was directed, on his arrival in Africa, “to pass on to the river Niger, either by the way of Bambouk or by such other route as should be found most convenient; that I should ascertain the course, and, if possible, the rise and termination of the river. That I should use my utmost exertions to visit the principal towns or cities in its neighbourhood, particularly Timbuctoo and Houssa; and that I should afterward be at liberty to return to Europe, either by the way of the Gambia, or by such other route as under all the then existing circumstances of my situation and prospects should appear to me to be most advisable.”
On the 21st of June, after an agreeable voyage of thirty days, he arrived at Jillifica, a town on the northern bank of the Gambia, in the kingdom of Barra. From this place after a stay of two days he proceeded up the Gambia, in the waters of which were found prodigious numbers of fish of unknown species, together with alligators and hippopotami, whose teeth furnish excellent ivory. Park, having quitted the Endeavour at Jonkakonda, proceeded thence by land; and reaching Pisania, a small British factory in the King of Yam’s dominions, on the 5th of July took up his residence at the house of Dr. Laidley, until he should be able to prosecute his journey into the interior.
Our traveller’s first care now was to render himself master of the Mandingo language, which in this part of Africa is in general use; and to collect from every source within his power information respecting the countries he was about to visit. In the language his progress depended on his own application; but he soon found that little or no reliance could be placed on the accounts of the interior furnished him by the natives, who on the most material points were frequently in direct contradiction with each other. His anxiety to examine and judge for himself was therefore increased. However, besides that the rainy season, which had now commenced, rendered travelling impracticable, another equally insuperable bar to the speedy prosecution of his journey quickly presented itself. In observing on the 31st of July an eclipse of the moon, he imprudently exposed himself to the night dew, and next day he found himself attacked by fever and delirium, which were the commencement of an illness that with a very trifling intermission confined him during two months within doors. “The care and attention of Dr. Laidley contributed greatly,” says Park, “to alleviate my sufferings; his company and conversation beguiled the tedious hours during that gloomy season when the rain falls in torrents; when suffocating heats oppress by day, and when the night is spent by the terrified traveller in listening to the croaking of frogs (of which the numbers are beyond imagination), the shrill cry of the jackal, and the deep howling of the hyena; a dismal concert, interrupted only by the roar of such tremendous thunder as no person can form a conception of but those who have heard it.”
Having been disappointed in his expectations of proceeding with a slave caravan towards Bambarra, Park departed from Pisania on the 2d of December, 1795. He had been provided with a negro servant, named Johnson, who had been many years in Great Britain, and understood both the English and Mandingo languages; and with a negro boy, named Demba, the property of Dr. Laidley, who, as the highest inducement of good behaviour, promised him his freedom on his return. Besides these Park was accompanied by four other persons, who, though independent of his control, were made to understand that their safe return to the countries on the Gambia would depend on our traveller’s preservation. His equipment was by no means magnificent: a horse for himself, two asses for his servants, provisions for two days, a small assortment of beads, amber, and tobacco, a few changes of linen and other apparel, an umbrella, a pocket sextant, a magnetic compass, a thermometer, two fowling-pieces, two pair of pistols, and some other small articles. His friends at Pisania accompanied him during the first two days, and then, dismissing him on his way, took their leave, secretly persuaded they should never see him more.