Vlll THE LATE 



or perverted that information which was absolutely 

 necessary for the successful prosecution of the journey, 

 induced Ruxton to abandon the attempt for >the pre- 

 sent. He made, however, several interesting excursions 

 to wards the interior, and more especially in the country 

 of the Bosjesmans. 



Finding his own resources inadequate for the accom- 

 plishment of his favourite project, Mr Ruxton, on his 

 return to England, made application for Government 

 assistance. But though this demand was not altogether 

 refused, it having been referred to the Council of the 

 Royal Geographical Society, and favourably reported 

 .upon by that body, so many delays interposed that 

 Ruxton, in disgust, resolved to withdraw from the 

 scheme, and to abandon that field of African research 

 which he had already contemplated from its borders. 

 He next bent his steps to Mexico ; and, fortunately, 

 has presented to the world his reminiscences of that 

 country, in one of the most fascinating volumes which 

 of late years has issued from the press. It would, how- 

 ever, appear that the African scheme, the darling pro- 

 ject of his life, had again recurred to him at a later 

 period ; for, in the course of the present spring, before 

 setting out on that journey which was destined to be 

 his last, the following expressions occur in one of his 

 letters : 



" My movements are uncertain, for I am trying to 



