It would be easy to extend these geographical remarks by a number of scientific deductions, more or less interesting to some readers; but it is time to bring this volume to a close, and in conclusion to claim the public indulgence in behalf of a work hastily drawn up, and whose only substantial recommendation to attention is the importance of its subject, and the influence which the discovery itself must sooner or later exercise over future enterprizes.[170]
CHAPTER V.
DOCUMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
We shall place at the close of our remarks several papers which the reader will perhaps be well pleased to peruse. In 1824, the Geographical Society published a programme of a premium to be decreed to the first French, or foreign, traveller who should arrive at Timbuctoo by the way of Senegambia. It is known that this programme was distributed throughout Europe and in Africa, and that it powerfully influenced the efforts or the projects of many travellers, and especially the resolution adopted by M. Caillié. We shall give this programme as published; and afterwards, the report made to the same Society by the committee which it appointed four years afterwards to judge of the merit of the discoveries made by the French traveller. These two papers will be followed by extracts from the correspondence relative to his return to Europe.
SOCIETY OF GEOGRAPHY 1824.
Premium for a Journey to Timbuctoo and the Interior of Africa.
The fortunate attempt of the English travellers who penetrated into Central Africa in 1823 has lately attracted the attention of Europe towards the interior of that continent, which now divides public curiosity equally with the polar regions, the centre of Asia, and the new countries of Australia. It was natural that the Society of Geography should direct its attention to this quarter also, pointing out as preferable the route already attempted by Mungo Park, and which touches upon the French establishments in the Senegal; with it therefore originated the idea of a subscription for the encouragement of travels to Timbuctoo. It proposes to offer a premium to any traveller who shall be fortunate enough to surmount all the perils incident to this enterprise, and who shall at the same time obtain some certain information and positive results respecting the geography, the productions, and the commerce of that country and the regions lying to the east of it. France was the first country of Europe which formed permanent establishments on the Senegal, and her honour is interested in assisting those travellers who seek to penetrate into the interior of Africa, by the route approaching nearest to her settlements. Such an enterprise, if successful would not be without profit to our commercial industry; and, considering it with respect to the sciences, what an inexhaustible source of discovery would it not open to natural history, natural philosophy, climatology, physical geography, and mathematics! What an immense field for a knowledge of the races of mankind, for the history of the civilization of nations, for that of their language, of their manners, and of their religious opinions!
The intention of the donors is not precisely to propose a prize for competition; the lure of a sum of money could not be offered for an attempt which might be attended with the loss of life: but they hold in reserve a just and honourable indemnity for him who shall happily overcome all the obstacles, to which so many others have, up to the present time, succumbed.
As the judge and dispenser of this recompense, the Society of Geography will duly appreciate the merit, the courage, and the devotedness, of travellers, as well as the real services they may have rendered to science. It does not expect from a single individual all the results which would require the concurrence of several observers and many years peaceable residence in the country; but it demands precise information, such as may be expected from a man provided with instruments, and who is no stranger either to natural or mathematical science. At the present moment several travellers, both French and English, are proceeding towards the banks of the Dhioliba, and the Society has reason to hope that the encouragements held out by it will not prove unprofitable.