during the year 1829-30. . 89 



guicres, on the Orography of Europe. This excellent work 

 fully justifies, by its geographical importance, the determina- 

 of (he society to be at the expense of its publication. 



The fourth volume is composed of different historical and 

 geographical works, amongst others, of a translation of 

 Jordanus, by Baron Coquebert de Montbret. We trust that the 

 scientific world will soon possess it. 



The fifth volume will contain a translation of the Geography 

 cfEdrisi, by M. A. Jauhert, whose absence for two years in the 

 Ottoman empire, in the service of France, will sufficiently ex- 

 plain the delay which this publication has experienced. 



The society has not neglected to maintain its connections 

 with the French and foreign travellers, who visit the different 

 countries of the globe, and who are anxious to seek for, and 

 accept its patronage. It follows their path with an earnest so- 

 licitude; and I am now about to detain you, for a short time, 

 with the relation of their efforts to render themselves worthy of 

 your honourable encouragement.- 



Africa, so near to us, but whose interior was so little known, 

 has for some time past been an object of more general attention 

 than formerly. The political movements, which for more than 

 thirty years have led so many Europeans to the land of Egypt, 

 now under the influence of a foreign civilization, imposed by a 

 hand, which it is difficult to characterize; the recent expedi- 

 tion, which has transported the conquerors of Algiers to the 

 foot of the Atlas; the numerous, and frequently unfortunate 

 attempts to penetrate into the heart of those latitudes, which 

 have hitherto been represented upon our best maps but as vast 

 deserts ; and, lastly, the restlessness which agitates our tiroes, 

 and the noble ambition of attaching one's name to something 

 new, and to the glory of having overcome obstacles which are 

 unknown in countries where the European has established his 

 customs and his laws; — all these circumstances suffice to ex- 

 plain the preference which our travellers 'give to the exploration 

 of Africa. We shall, therefore, commence with Africa, in our 

 review of their labours. 



Africa. — The Geographical Society has, with pleasure, ob- 

 served a Frenchman (M. Douville) directing his steps towards 

 Portuguese Africa ; and has received a letter from him, dated 

 Rio Janeiro, June 1, 1830. A short lime after his return from 

 Angola, this travellej announced that he was in possession of 

 many curious documents connected with this country, which he 

 appeared to have surveyed in the character of a philosopher, 

 an artist, and an observer, of manners. We are exceedingly 

 anxious to have him amongst us, and this wish will, no doubt, 



c. 



