in the Mountains of the Moon. 251 



and definite results will be arrived at, respecting the limits of 

 the entire basin of the giant river of Africa. 



The object of Dr Bialloblotzky's journey will, however, not 

 be confined to the solvition of the problem of the position of 

 the sources of the Nile. He will observe and describe the 

 nature of the countries which he proposes to traverse, with 

 their productions and capabilities for cultivation, commerce, 

 and colonization ; he will make himself acquainted with the 

 character, manners, and customs of the natives, and their 

 fitness for instruction or for emigration ; he will collect vo- 

 cabularies and other materials for the investigation of their 

 languages ; he will ascertain the state of slavery and the 

 slave-trade, both on the coast and in the interior ; and he 

 will make all such other observations and inquiries, as may 

 reasonably be expected on the part of an intelligent and edu- 

 cated European, visiting for the first time countries which 

 have never been trodden by the foot of civilized man. 



Dr Bialloblotzky's expedition is unquestionably one of the 

 most impoi'tant ever undertaken. Should it be crowned 

 with sucpess, its results will be of an unprecedented value ; 

 whether as concerns the solution of a geographical pro- 

 blem, which has in all ages been deemed woi'thy of the at- 

 tention of princes not less than of philosophers ; or whether 

 as regards the opening up of a portion of Africa, which enjoys 

 a climate of a character directly opposite to that of the un- 

 healthy regions on the western coast, and which is inhabited 

 by millions of our fellow-creatures, who appear to be far more 

 fitted to receive the blessings of Christian civilization than 

 those in most other parts of that vast continent. Surely, 

 then, this expedition cannot fail to meet with sympathy in 

 the breast both of the philanthropist and of the lover of 

 science ; and the appeal which I have taken on myself to 

 make on behalf of the travellei*, for the funds necessary for 

 carrying it out in a suitable manner, will, I feel assured, be 

 Bo responded to, as, in this respect at least, to guarantee his 

 enterprise from failure. 



London, 27tA JuUi 1848. 



