200 NARRATIVE. 



CHAPTER 11. 



Bathurst founded Situation and Climate ofBanjole — Harmattans. — 



Description of the toicn of Bathurst. — Population. — Building 

 stone. — Gilh/frce. — Albreda. — Slave dealing. — Mc. Carlhys 

 Island. — Account of the manners and costume of the Joloffs and 

 Mandingoes. — Gold. — Manufactures. — Music. — Daricing. — 

 Horses. — Governments Alarms. 



1 HE few general remarks I have to offer upon the settlements 

 of the Gambia, arise from casual observation, and are so trivial, 

 that, if the spot were better known, I should not attempt their 

 publication. The chief good which I can hope to arise from 

 them, will be that of interesting a future traveller to explore 

 furthei-. I must confess, that even I could have done much more 

 under other circumstances; but before Mr. Bowdich's seizure, I 

 was so completely occupied in botanical examinations and Arabic 

 translations, that I had not a moment for any thing else ; his 

 fortnight's illness was productive of so much fatigue, that, inde- 

 pendent of the great shock I received, total rest was absolutely 

 necessary ; and the remainder of my stay was lingered out, not in 

 actual malady, but in a constant struggle to assume such tranquil- 

 lity as would ensure me mental and bodily strength. 



On giving the Island of Goree back to the French, it was the 

 intention to repair Fort James, for the residence of the English, 



