324 Biographical Memoir of [May, 



nical treasures and of profiting by the advantages which it holds 

 out for the acquisition of knowledge of all descriptions, he pro- 

 posed to return to his native country, when the expedition to the 

 river Zaire was projected ; and upon the offer being made to him 

 of the appointment to the botanical department, he immediately 

 embraced it, and devoted himself to it with his accustomed zeal 

 and enthusiasm. In the prosecution of this plan he left London 

 on Feb. 22, and on the following day embarked at Sheerness ; 

 after beating about the Channelfor nearly a month, inconsequence 

 of contrary winds, on March 19 the expedition left Falmouth, and 

 on April 1 came within sight of Madeira. They passed by this 

 island, and proceeded to St. Jago, one of the Cape Verde group, 

 where they remained three days, which were very actively em- 

 ployed by Smith in exploring the botany and natural history of the 

 vicinity of Porto Praya, the harbour of the island. It was nearly 

 two months from the time of their leaving St. JagO before they 

 were able to reach the mouth of the Zaire, from the unfavourable 

 state of the winds and weather ; and some time longer was 

 unavoidably spent about the mouth of the river before they 

 entered upon the proper object of their mission. On July 7, 

 Professor Smith, for the first time, was able to make a short 

 excursion on shore, and to set his foot on what he called " the 

 land of promise." He informs us in his journal, that " the vege- 

 tation was magnificent and extremely beautiful. Shrubs of a 

 rich verdure, large gramineous plants, and thick groups of palms, 

 met the eye alternately. The country displayed the most beau- 

 tiful forms — the most charming scenery. I found myself as in a 

 new world, which was before known to me in imagination only, 

 or by drawings." 



The subsequent history of the expedition is little else than a 

 narrative of disappointments and disasters. A short time was 

 spent, not far from the mouth of the river, in receiving visits 

 from the neighbouring chiefs, conciliating their good will, and 

 endeavouring to remove any prejudices that might arise respect- 

 ing the nature and objects of the expedition. Every inquiry 

 was of course made concerning the course of the river, and the 

 best means of prosecuting their journey ; when it was soon found 

 that the information which had been obtained in England, and 

 which, indeed, had served as the cause and motive for the under- 

 taking, was extremely defective and considerably erroneous. 

 The first view which they gained of the Zaire sufficiently proved 

 that its magnitude had been much exaggerated ; its navigation, 

 almost at the commencement, was found to be difficult and nearly 

 impracticable for the larger vessels, and even the boats were 

 unable to proceed to a greater distance than 130 or 140 miles 

 from its mouth, in consequence of a succession of rapids or low 

 cataracts, which, for a space of about 40 or 50 miles, completely 

 obstruct even the passage of a canoe. Captain Tuckey and his 

 companions were consequently under the necessity of proceeding 



