218 CAPT. R. F. BURTON— ROYAL AWARDS. [May 23, 1859. 



our Journal, vol. xxv., and also in the work ' First Footsteps in 

 Eastern Africa.* 



In 1856 Captain Burton proceeded with Captain Speke, under 

 the auspices of our Society, and assisted by the Foreign Office and 

 the Hon. East India Company, to Zanzibar ; and in January, 1857, 

 made a tentative journey to Fuga, the account of which, by Captain 

 Burton, with a map constructed from Captain Speke's field-book, 

 is given in our Proceedings, and will appear in a more extended 

 form in the next volume of the Journal. 



On June 26th, 1857, Captains Burton and Speke started from 

 Zanzibar for the interior, and succeeded in reaching the great 

 Lake Tanganyika, 300 miles long and 30 broad, and about 700 

 miles from the coast ; having travelled, at a rough estimate, from 

 1200 to 1500 miles. Their very careful and complete itineraries, 

 maps and field-books, have been received ; Captain Speke having 

 made astronomical observations which determine the latitude and 

 longitude of the places they visited. These results, as well as the 

 determination of the principal altitudes, were obtained in spite of 

 severe hardships, privations, and illnesses. 



A marked feature of the expedition is the journey of Captain 

 Speke from Unyanyembe to the vast inland fresh- water lake called 

 Nyanza, the south end of which was fixed by him at 2° 30' S. lat. 

 and 33° 30' E. long., which, being estimated to have a width of about 

 90 miles, is said to extend northwards for upwards of 300 miles. 



For the very important results of the expedition — of which 

 Captain Burton was the leader — as well as for his former bold and 

 adventurous researches, the Council have considered him to be 

 highly entitled to the honour conferred on him. 



The President then addressed Captain Burton in these words : — 



*' Captain Burton, — I have now to request you to accept this 

 Medal, with the assurance that, as the geographers of England 

 have watched your various and most adventurous explorations with 

 the deepest interest, so I rejoice that the Council of this Society has 

 had it in their power thus to recompense your highly distinguished 

 services. 



"I must also take this opportunity of expressing to you my 

 hearty approbation of the very important part which your col- 

 league. Captain Speke, has played in the course of the African ex- 

 pedition headed by yourself. In the Address to the Society, 

 which is to follow, when I further advert to your meritorious ser- 

 vices, I shall dwell upon the discovery of the vast interior Lake 

 of Nyanza, made by your associate when you were prostrated by 



