OF DR. J. R. T..VOGEL, 6*17 



however, that I did not experience the slightest feeling of 

 illness. Every one of us, who is not sick, is plagued with 

 itching on the skin, and eruptions ; this affliction, together 

 with the mosquitos, which, however, at present have not 

 been numerous, do not let us sleep at night. In short, it is 

 a wretched existence for a European." 



The unhappy fate of the Expedition is too well known. 

 Vogel writes on this subject from Clarence Cove, in the island 

 of Fernando Po, on the 22nd of October; " We were desirous 

 of proceeding farther, to begin a real voyage of discovery, 

 when the tropical fever, which we had long feared, but at 

 last considered as left behind, broke out with such a degree 

 of virulence, that in a short time almost all the Europeans 

 were seized, and most of them suffered severely. On the 

 same evening on which I wrote my last letter (18th of Sep- 

 tember), I fell ill of the fever, which assumed a serious 

 aspect. The sea air being considered the best remedy against 

 the malady, we went all together down the river to this place. 

 First, the Soudan with the sick ; then our ship, the Wilber- 

 force ; and lastly, the Albert, after it had proceeded up the 

 Niger for some days, was finally compelled to return, and to 

 bring all the Europeans with her. It is now the intention of 

 the conductor of the Expedition to sail to Ascension, which 

 is considered peculiarly healthy, there to await the perfect 

 recovery of the sick, and in March, when a better climate 

 for a European constitution is expected, again to ascend 

 the Niger. I heard that I might be allowed to spend the 

 interval at this place. They brought me on shore in a very 

 high fever, and I have been now almost three weeks here. 

 The fever, which on my way was almost always upon me, has 

 left me for the last week and a half, and I am now, as I 

 believe, out of all danger. But my strength returns very 

 slowly, and I shall scarcely be able for these six weeks to 

 resume my botanical investigations. At present I cannot 

 walk, but stumble over my own feet. One of the ships, the 

 Wilberforce, is gone to Ascension ; the Albert, which arrived 

 later, is here, and will wait for the recovery of her sick." 

 vol. v. z z 



