May 23, 1859.] AFRICA^DISCOVERIES OF BURTON AND SPEKE. 301 



tinguished man has been materially affected, he should have met 

 with that generous sympathy and support of a large body of his 

 enlightened countrymen, which will, I trust, act as the best restor- 

 ative of a frame which has been overworked in the great endeavour ^j a 

 with which his name will ever be associated, ^??fx, 



Africa. 



Discoveries of Burton and Speke. — The last discoveries in the interior 

 of the eastern side of this great continent have already been adverted 

 to in the adjudication of our Founder's Gold Medal to Captain 

 Burton. 



In the few words I addressed to that distinguished explorer in 

 presenting to him that Medal, a brief but pregnant allusion was 

 made to the labours and researches of his associate Captain Speke ; 

 and in now expatiating on the results of their remarkable and suc- 

 cessful explorations, the chief of the expedition, who is already well 

 known by his bold peregrinations and publications, will, I am sure, 

 be happy that I should offer in the annexed note * a slight sketch 

 of the antecedents as well as of the special duties executed by his 

 companion. 



Eeturning to Europe from Aden, both Captains Burton and Speke 

 sought and obtained employment in the Turkish contingent of the 

 allied armies operating in the Crimea. Thrown out of their military 

 career by the peace, they returned to the east coast of Africa, with 

 the view of exploring the country from the coast of Zanzibar as far 

 inland as might enable them to ascertain the real geography of the 

 interior in that latitude. 



* Quitting England at the age of seventeen as an officer of the Indian army, Captain 

 Speke was engaged in four general actions under Sir Colin Campbell. Peace being esta- 

 blished in the Punjaub, he obtained leave on several occasions to indulge his natural taste 

 for field sports, and the collection of specimens of the animals of Tibet, the Himklyas, 

 and Upper India. In those remote and snowy mountains he made himself a geographer, 

 and with a simple compass and watch plotted out tracks for the benefit of future explorers. 

 In 1854, obtaining three years' furlough, he started with a large outfit at his own expense 

 to explore Central Africa, and collect its fauna. Arrived at Aden, General Outram per- 

 mitted Lieut. Speke to be embodied in the expedition under Captain Burton, destined to 

 explore the Somauli country from Berbera. Whilst this expedition was waiting to proceed 

 with the usual annual caravan to Ugadin, Lieut. Speke, with his chiefs permission, entered 

 the Somauli countiy as far as Ras Kori, and crossed the coast range into the interior plateau 

 ground. In the space of six months he constructed a sketch plan of thpse tracts, 

 and made large collections of their flora and fauna. After his return to Aden, 

 he again started alone for the Somauli coast at Karam, purchased camels, and proceeded to 

 Berbera, the rendezvous of Burton's party. When the British officers had there established 

 themselves, their camp, as is recorded in your Jounial, was attacked by the Somauli, who, 

 seizing all the stores, killed Captain Stroyan, wounded Captains Burton and Heme, and 

 wounded and captured Speke. But escapmg, as he says, miraculously, he rejoined Burton 

 and the survivors, and returned to Aden, 



