THE LATE GEORGE FREDERICK RUXTON. vii 



The jealousy of the traders, and of the missionaries settled on the 

 African coast, who constantly withheld or perverted that inform- 

 ation which was absolutely necessary for the successful prosecu- 

 tion of the journey, induced Ruxton to abandon the attempt for 

 the present. He made, however, several interesting excursions 

 toward the interior, and more , especially in the country of the 



Finding his own resources inadequate for the accomplishment 

 of his favorite 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 favorably 

 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, however, appear that the African scheme, the darlini/ 

 project 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 expres- 

 sions occur in one of his letters : — 



" My movements are uncertain, for I am trying to get 

 up a yacht voyage to Borneo and the Indian Archipelago ; 

 have volunteered to Government to explore Central Africa ; 

 and the Aborigenes Protection Society wish me to go out to 



