Geographical Collections. A*J 



Annual Notice of the Labours of the Geographical Society , read at tJte Public 

 Meeting the Wth December 1829 ,• by Ma. DE Larekaudiere, General 

 Secretary of the Central Commission. 



Gentlemen, 



During the year which has just elapsed, yout history has again mingled itself 

 with that of science : you have associated yourselves by noble encouragement to 

 great geographical labours. The prize founded for the most important discovery, 

 has been accorded to one of the most useful and happy enterprizes of modern times. 

 Two posts had been placed by Hearne and 3Iackenzie on the hyperborean shores 

 of America. Captain Parry had, on his side, surveyed the former discoveries of 

 Bylot, of Baffin, of Middleton, and of Fox, as well as a part of Melville penin- 

 sula ; but immense blanks remained to be filled up. Captain Franklin and Dr. 

 Richardson, thanks to their zeal and their talents, did much towards marking 

 out the coast of North America, which from Point Beechey to Cape Turnagain 

 is now traced on our maps. In giving to the first tlie medal, and to the second 

 the most honourable mention, you have appreciated in a worthy manner such re- 

 sults, whose interest is increased by numerous scientific observations : your suf- 

 frage has been united to that of the two worlds. 



More modest labours have been presented to your examination. Three me- 

 moirs on tlie levelling of an hydrographical part of France, have been submitted 

 for prizes. One of them, having for author IM. Lepeudry, and for subject the 

 levelling of the course of the river Aisne between Everguicourt and the Oise, de- 

 served your suffrages. 



To the different prizes which you had already proposed, and which have re- 

 mained on the list, you have added one of high geographical importance, being 

 destined for the first traveller that shall reach the place marked in the maps of 

 Africa under the name of Marawi. Precise observations are asked of this travel- 

 ler. There are great dangers to be met with, and great conquests to be made in 

 those countries. Do not let us despair that one of our countrymen should ac- 

 complish this difficult task. France is in a vein of good luck. When one has 

 succeeded in penetrating to Timbuctoo, obstacles are no longer taken into consi- 

 deration, and the most inaccessible parts of Africa appear to remain for coura- 

 geous perseverance. 



Your curiosity will be excited by the name of Timbuctoo, which associates it. 

 self intimately with that of Mr. Caille', and it shall soon be satisfied. The rela- 

 tion of this courageous explorator is on the point of appearing. Some days more, 

 and you will be enabled to traverse Africa with him, and follow him upon a soil 

 that European feet have not yet trodden. • 



Land and people, manners and language, many things will be new in this 

 journey, which unites the attraction of the marvellous to the interests of science. 

 This last is not forgotten. The relation of Mr. Caille is accompanied with notes, 

 which serve to throw light upon more than one difficulty. They are due to Mr. 

 Jomard, who has made a special study of Africa. 



Other Mahometan countries, of easier access, have been explored by several of 

 our colleagues. Mr. Rifaud has a long time inhabited and explored Egypt and 

 Nubia with a scientific aim. He has followed the banks of the Nile, from its 

 mouth to above the second cataract. He has resided on the shores of the ReA 

 Sea, and explored the desert that borders the Delta and the Thebaic basin on 

 both sides. The riches of nature, and the remains of a civilization which dates 

 back to the first ages, appear exhaustless in these spots. The abundant harvests 

 made by skilful travellers, and more especially by that immortal expedition of 



• Caille's travels have already appeared in London, and Jomard's Paris edi- 

 tion is just published. We shall take the first opportunity of noticing the two 

 works. 



