348 EXPLORATIONS IN EASTERN AFRICA. [June 13, 1859. 



You will hear what he has to say on this subject, and no doubt there will be 

 some discussion upon it afterwards ; but I feel quite convinced that whatever 

 differences of opinion may arise on that particular point, though I think the 

 arguments which Captain Speke adduces are of very great weight and import- 

 ance, every one who hears the accounts to-night will feel that most valuable 

 and important information has been obtained — information not only important 

 in a geographical point of view, but valuable also as having no small t3earing 

 on commercial and industrial questions. I think we should never lose sight 

 of the importance which the labours of this Society possess in respect of the 

 industry, manufactures, and commerce of this country. I will not detain you 

 any longer from the extremely interesting narrative of Captain Burton, who 

 will now proceed to read his Paper. 



The Papers read were — 



Explorations in Eastern Africa. By Captains E. F. Burton, f.r.g.s., 

 and J. H. Speke, f.r.g.s. 



1. Captain Burton, late Commandant of the East African Expedition, 

 read out a general account of his proceedings subsequent to the 

 tentative journey to Fuga and Usumbara, v^hich appeared in the 

 28th Vol. of the Journal of the Society. 



The Paper contained a description of the personnel of the 

 East African Expedition when leaving the coast for the purpose 

 of exploring the " Sea of Ujiji." The difficulties of departure 

 and the severe trials of patience on the road were then dwelt 

 upon. At length, however, the travellers reached Unyanyembe, 

 the capital of the " Land of the Moon," and experienced from the 

 kindhearted Arabs the warmest welcome, for which, however, they 

 were not a little indebted to the introductory firman furnished by 

 H.H. Sayyid Majid, Sultan of Zanzibar and the Sawahil. Captain 

 Burton then briefly described the trying and dangerous march 

 during the rainy monsoon from Unyanyembe to Ujiji upon the 

 Tanganyika Lake, and his exploration in company with Captain 

 Speke of the northern waters of that sweet sea, which saw for 

 the first time the union jack floating over its dark bosom. Want 

 of supplies prevented the travellers penetrating farther into the 

 interior, and concluding the Periplus of the Lake ; they reluctantly 

 bade adieu to Ujiji, and on the 19th of June, 1868, re-entered 

 Unyanyembe. 



After about six weeks, during which Captain Speke, having tra- 

 versed the unexplored length of Usukuma, laid down the southern 

 limit of the Nyanza or Ukerewe Lake, which had been heard of 

 from the Arabs of Unyanyembe, the expedition marched eastward, 

 intending to make the coast via Kilwa. Again, however, they were 

 doomed to disappointment. The African Pagazi, or porters, could 

 not be persuaded to deviate from their normal line. The explorers 



