he belonged into Toorkistan, and to purchase and take back horses into Hindoostan. He gave a brief account of his journey; of his being delayed in Tibet through want of money, occasioned by an unexpected expenditure; of the Chinese authorities of Yarkund having consented to his visiting that city, and afterwards retracting their promise, through the intrigues of the Cashmeer merchants, jealous of competition; of his party reaching Cashmeer, and being detained there in some measure from a desire of procuring shawls as a safe remittance to Bokhara, but principally in consequence of the contest in Afghanistan between Runjeet Sing and the Dooranees; and of his having traversed Afghanistan, and ultimately having arrived in Toorkistan.

"He further observed, that Morad Begh had conveyed to him the fullest assurances of safety, instead of which he had been detained three months, had suffered unreasonable exactions, and was threatened with the loss of property and life unless he would immediately pay an enormous sum as the price of his liberation. The Peerzada pledged his word to prevent, as far as might lie in his power, any further injury to Mr. Moorcroft, or his affairs. Our traveller was then hospitably entertained, and treated with attention and respect. In one of their conversations, the Peerzada informed him that a native of Enderab, named Moollah Mahommud Ameen, had brought against him very grave accusations before the chief, and was surprised to learn that the Moollah was unknown to him. Next day the Moollah made his appearance at Talikan, accompanied by a Hajee, and demanded to be admitted to a durbar of the Peerzada, which happened to be that day very largely attended. His request being granted, he made a long speech, highly injurious to the interests of Mr. Moorcroft, alleging that the Europeans would speedily overturn the religion of Mahomet, and that their conquests were approaching the holy city of Mecca itself. Allusions were made to certain expeditions against Algiers and Mocha, and so strong an impression was produced against our traveller, that, on being informed, though imperfectly, of the proceedings at the durbar, he instantly claimed, as a matter of justice, to be allowed to enter upon his defence at On being introduced to the durbar, the Mooliah was pointed out to him. Mr. Moorcroft then put to him the following questions:

once.

Q. What is my name? A. Metcalfe. Q. What is my occupation? A. That of a general. Q. You say that I am a general, what number do I command? A. You are the head of the whole army. Q. Do you mean that I am the officer known in Hindoostan by the title of Sipur Sala ? A. Yes. Q. How long have I been absent from Hindoostan? A. Seven or eight years. "Mr. Moorcroft observed to the Peerzada, that his accuser was wholly unacquainted even with his name, and that the idea of a commander-in-chief descending to the humble occupation of an itinerant merchant, and absenting himself from his army for seven or eight years, was too ridiculous to require any comment! The Moollah was not to be put down. He poured forth other charges which, for a time, made a deep impression upon the Peerzada, and seemed to ensure a victory. Mr. Mooreroft, however, repelled them successfully, and the Moollah was so mortified and enraged, that he threatened to assail him with accusations at every stage on his journey to Bokhara, for the sole purpose of frustrating his views. If you will not listen to my first advice,' said he to the Peerzada, at least make him go back, for if you do not, Toorkistan will inevitably fall into the hands of the English.'

(The remainder next month.)

Review of Books.

Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the Years 1822, 1823, and 1824. By MAJOR DIXON DENHAM, and CAPTAIN HUGH CLAPPERTON, the Survivors of the Expedition. London, 1826. 4to., pp. 671.

No work, perhaps, for many years, has been looked for with more eagerness and impatience than this. The few details which had been published in an authentic shape, respecting the perils encountered by the travellers, in the desert and in the field of battle, and the more recent reports of the discoveries made during their three years' exploration of regions which excite, on many accounts, peculiar interest, amply justified great expectations. We will not say that these expectations are altogether disappointed; but we lament that they were so inordinately raised by misrepresentation or misapprehension. The contents of this work are extremely interesting; the discoveries they disclose are valuable; the narratives of the two surviving travellers are highly creditable to them, both as actors and relators (for they are written in a sensible yet unpretending style); but we can find no details of the wonders we were promised :—the mighty kingdom in the interior, the centre of an immense traffic;-flourishing and populous towns, built but a few miles apart from each other;—a civilized nation of black complexion, with a large military force clothed in complete armour, part wearing "the perfect hauberk mail of the Norman knights," and part the Roman armour, exactly conformable to the specimens handed down from antiquity!" Whoever examines the work expecting to realize these accounts, which have been repeatedly obtruded upon the public as the results of this expedition into Africa, will search in vain.

cr

It is well known that Dr. Oudney fell a victim to the climate, which accelerated the progress of a pectoral complaint he had carried out with him from England. He appears to have been very early incapacitated from those scientific offices for which he was the only individual of the three fully qualified. His ardour, however, never deserted him; he even hastened his death by his exertions. His contributions to the work are, therefore, few.

Major Denham's portion consists of an introductory chapter, detailing the particulars of the journey from Tripoli to Mourzuk, which had been reached by Mr. Ritchie and Capt. Lyon, as well as Hornemann; and of an excursion to the westward of Mourzuk; also the narrative of the expedition from that city to Bornou, from the capital of which, Kouka, he proceeded to Mandara, in conjunction with a ghrazzie,* or marauding party, who, in attacking the town of Musfeia, sustained a total overthrow; by a series of astonishing escapes, Major Denham succeeded in getting back to Kouka. This officer, consequently, penetrated nearly 300 miles more to the southward than his companions; namely, to the 9th parallel of north latitude.

Capt. Clapperton's narrative gives an account of an excursion from Kouka to the westward, performed by that officer and Dr. Oudney, who died on the journey, 12th January 1824, at a place called Murmur. From hence Capt. Clapperton proceeded alone to Kano, and thence, still in a westerly direction inclining to the north, nearly as far as the 6th eastern meridian, to Sackatoo. A large portion of the tract visited by these travellers had never, probably,

We here recognize the same term (Grassiah), applied to a marauding tribe in India.

been

been trod by natives of Europe, at least in modern times; the inhabitants had never seen, scarcely heard of, Europeans. It is amusing to read the statements which Major Denham gives (as Mungo Park had done before) of the astonishment, and even horror, which his white skin inspired wherever he went. Some ran away as at a spectre; others shrieked; market-women tumbled over their own merchandize to escape his look; the ladies of rank were never weary of examining his hands, opening his bosom, &c.; but the sudden removal of his turban, and the exposure of a bald white pate, would startle, perhaps overturn, a whole assembly. His black friends-would say, with a look of pity, "why are you white ?"

It is, at the same time, pleasing to find, from the concurrent testimony of Major Denham, Dr. Oudney, and Capt. Clapperton, that there does not exist that animosity towards Europeans which has been believed to prevail in these regions. Even the Arab merchants allowed Englishmen, though Kaffirs, to rank next to their own nation. Major Denham states (p. 328), that wherever El Kanemy, the sheikh of Bornou, (the only important power in Central Africa, besides that of the Felatahs, whose chief is actuated by almost similar sentiments) has authority, "Europeans, and particularly Englishmen, will be kindly and hospitably received." In respect to dress, the travellers found the advantage of wearing their own costume instead of that of Musulmans; and the writer last quoted observes, that though they were the first travellers in Africa who had resisted the persuasion that disguise was necessary, and were determined to appear as Britons and Christians, their conduct in this particular seemed to excite confidence instead of jealousy. He adds (p. xviii), I am perfectly satisfied that our reception would have been less friendly had we assumed a character that could have been at best but ill supported."

Throughout their journey they had repeated evidence, not only of the horrors attending the slave-trade, but that this dreadful commerce, encouraged by Europeans, is the most formidable obstacle to discovery, and to the introduction of civilization and legitimate traffic in these vast tracts. Hundreds, nay thousands of human skeletons lay strewed in the desert between Mourzuk and Bornou, victims of want and fatigue. Every few miles, a note of Dr. Oudney (p. 8) informs us, a skeleton was seen; at Meshoo, the ground was strewed with them: one hand often lay under the head, and frequently both, as if in the act of compressing the head-symptoms of the torture which these unhappy objects of brutal avarice undergo, ere death releases them! Capt. Clapperton found, whilst at Kano, in the territories of the chief of the Felatahs, that his projected journey to Nyffee was prevented by the intrigues of the Arabs, as they know well, if the native Africans were once acquainted with English commerce by the way of the sea, their own lucrative inland trade would from that moment cease." P. 88.

They arrived at Kouka, the capital of Bornou, February 17, 1823. This was a momentous day: they came in contact with a people who were utterly unacquainted with Europeans; and the contradictory accounts the travellers had received respecting the power of the sheikh (some representing his force to consist of a few ragged negroes armed with spears; others describing his troops to be not only numerous, but to a certain degree well trained) created additional interest and curiosity. As they approached the town, they were surprised to see, drawn up steadily in line, a body of several thousand cavalry, under the shiekh's first general, a negro of noble aspect. At sight of the travellers the troops moved rapidly to meet them, and the tact and management in their movements, Major Denham says, astonished him.

The

The sheikh's negroes, as they are called, meaning the black chiefs and favourites, all raised to that rank by some deed of bravery, were habited in coats of mail composed of iron-chain, which covered them from the throat to the knees, dividing behind, and coming on each side of the horse: some of them had helmets, or rather skull-caps, of the same metal, with chin-pieces, all sufficiently strong to ward off the stroke of a Their horses' heads were also defended by plates of iron, brass, and silver, just leaving sufficient room for the eyes of the animal. P. 64.

spear.

This description is elucidated by a portrait of one of the body-guard of the sheikh, as well as representations of the various parts of the armour, so that antiquaries will not be at a loss to discover how far the assertions respecting the perfect Norman and Roman armour are accurate.

Kouka, the travellers, those who survived at least, made their head-quarters for eighteen months (Major Denham and Capt. Clapperton left it August 16, 1824); in the meantime they were joined by another companion, Mr. Toole, who soon fell a sacrifice to the climate. At their departure they left Mr. Tyrwhitt at Kouka, as British resident, who has, however, subsequently followed Dr. Oudney and Mr. Toole to an untimely grave.

El Kanemy, the sheikh of Kouka, of whom the travellers afford us a very favourable picture, is the real sovereign of Bornou; but the nominal sultan is still in possession of all the shadowy attributes of sovereignty, and resides at old Birnie. Like the relation between Stephano and Trinculo, in the “Tempest," the sultan is the sovereign, and the sheikh the "viceroy over him.” The travellers paid a visit to this sultan at Birnie, which, like Kouka, is a town with mud walls; the houses are huts, generally circular, built for the most part of mud, sometimes of straw, or of coarse mats. The description of the sultan's court reminds us of the puerile extravagancies which abound in English pantomimes. We quote Major Denham's words:

Large bellies and large heads are indispensable for those who serve the court of Bornou; and those who unfortunately possess not the former by nature, or on whom lustiness will not be forced by cramming, make up the deficiency of protuberance by a wadding, which, as they sit on the horse, gives the belly the curious appearance of hanging over the pummel of the saddle. The eight, ten, and twelve shirts, of different colours, that they wear one over the other, help a little to increase this greatness of person: the head is enveloped in folds of muslin or linen of various colours, though mostly white, so as to deform it as much as possible; and those whose turban was the most studied, had the effect [i. e. their turbans had the effect] of making the head appear completely on one side. Nothing could be more ridiculous than the appearance of these people, squatting down in their places, tottering under the weight and magnitude of their turbans and their bellies, while the thin legs that appeared underneath but ill accorded with the bulk of the other parts. P. 79.

Angornou is the largest town in Bornou; it contains at least 30,000 inhabitants; it is not walled, but the huts are larger and more commodious than at Kouka. Here is a weekly market, attended (the natives say) in peaceable times by 80,000 or 100,000 persons. Linen is so cheap here, that most of the males indulge in the luxury of a shirt and pair of trowsers. Major Denham was much amused at the mode of imploring charity employed by some beggars in the fsug, or market-place. They exhibited a shirt as well as the rest; but holding up the tattered remains of a nether garment, kept exclaiming, “breeches there are none! breeches there are none !"

From the sheikh of Bornou the travellers experienced great courtesy and liberality. "It is quite impossible," says Major Denham, "to describe the value of his kindness to us on all occasions." Learning that their funds were

low,

low, he sent word that any money they stood in need of he would immediately furnish them with. Nor is this an isolated example: the same traveller, at the conclusion of his narrative, speaks of the natives of the countries he traversed generally in these terms :—

If either here or in any foregoing part of this journal it may be thought that I have spoken too favourably of the natives we were thrown amongst, I can only answer, that I have described them as I found them, hospitable, kind-hearted, honest, and liberal. To the latest hour of my life I shall remember them with affectionate regard; and many are the untutored children of nature in Central Africa who possess feelings and principles that would do honour to the most civilized Christian. P. 311.

Some of the wild and savage tribes who inhabit the mountains, and the borders and islands of lake Tchad, are of course to be excepted from this general description. The Kerdy tribes, who dwell upon the hills which overlook the capital of Mandara (the limit of Major Denham's advance to the southward) are depicted in terrific colours. They feed upon horse-flesh; their aspect and dress are strikingly wild and savage. The Biddomahs, who inhabit the islands in the Tchad, and subsist upon the plunder of the neighbouring people, are scarcely less savage. Their personal appearance is excessively repulsive: they have large mouths, and long necks; the upper part of the face is very flat; they are sulky and reserved; they never salute strangers, as the other negroes invariably do.

The black beauties of Central Africa seem to have made a strong impression upon Major Denham: he speaks in several places of their personal charms with a sort of rapture. He contrasts the beautiful forms, expressive eyes, pearly teeth, and excessive cleanliness of the true negro ladies with those of a lighter hue at Mourzuk, whom he describes as follows:

Wrapped in a woollen blanket, with an under one of the same texture, seldom changed night or day until it drops off, or that they may be washed for their wedding; hair clotted, and besmeared with sand, brown powder of cloves, and other drugs, in order to give them the popular smell; their silver ear-rings and coral ornaments all blackened by the perspiration flowing from their anointed locks; they are really such bundles of filth, that it is not without alarm you see them approach towards you, or disturb their garments in your presence. P. 300.

It is time, however, that we should advert to the more important discoveries which have rewarded the efforts of these travellers. Of these the discovery of the large state of Bornou is not the least remarkable: although heard of, it may be truly said to have been less known before their visit than Timbuctoo itself. We must not, however, exaggerate the importance of our connection with this state. The present effective ruler appears to be a man of sense as well as courage yet his authority is not co-extensive with his nominal possessions. When Major Denham petitioned to be suffered to survey the eastern shore of lake Tchad, the sheikh replied, "It is not in my power to send you to the eastward, or you should not want my assistance. You have seen enough of the dispositions of the inhabitants of the countries towards me, and their power, to know that this is true. It has pleased God to grant me a victory now, which may lead to quieter times." The discomfiture of the expedition from Kouka against the Felatahs, shows what consequences the change of character or of fortune in the ruler of Bornou may produce.

The information which the travellers collected respecting Timbuctoo, and the course of the rivers, though not verified, are valuable additions to our former stock. From Abdel Gassam, the son of a Felatah chief of D’jennie, who had come from Timbuctoo on his way to Mecca, Major Denham procured

much