from Egypt to Western Africa. 15 
the shape of parties of pleasure, are frequently made by the 
inhabitants among the neighbouring tribes. 
Allowing that it is reasonable to expect, from the hitherto 
gradual enlargement of connexion, that the good understanding 
will be extended still farther by the just and equitable dealings 
of the merchants, as well as the liberal and philanthropic nature 
of this establishment, it can scarcely be considered a rash 
undertaking to set out as a travelling merchant from Sierra 
Leone, and keeping to the southward of Foulah Jalcon, reach 
- Saukara, where there is little doubt that the English will be well 
known shortly ; from Saukara a north-easterly direction ought 
to be pursued, to fall in with the Niger at Nufi, from whence its 
further course might be traced. 
That this is the best route for arriving at such determination 
appears from the following consideration; the river will be 
reached much sooner, and with less hazard than if approached 
from the northward ; anda short journey along its banks from 
Nufi might be expected to determine whether its course is bent 
to the south, or whether it firmly persists in its eastward direc- 
tion. 
It is advisable that this attempt should be made by a single 
traveller ; and I trust, from the spirit of enterprise which has 
arisen in Sierra Leone, that the day is at no great distance when 
it will be undertaken with success. Iam, Sir, &c., | _ 
Aw OFFICER IN THE ARMY 
SERVING IN SIERRA LEONE. 
Fort Thornton, April 10, 1821. 
NoveEs. 
The town of Houssa is distant as far from the Niger, which 
is there called Lessee, as Port Logo is from Sierra Leone, or 
about sixty miles. It stands upon nearly a square mile of | 
ground, is walled round, and has seventeen entrances or gates ; 
the walls are about twenty-five feet in height, four feet in thick- 
ness, are very strong, though built of mud, and are defensible 
from the top, there being a path round the whole, about six feet 
from the summit. The houses are of a‘circular form, and are 
