' Geography, 345 



tion into those benighted regions. Although in- 

 stituted with a different view, the exertions of this 

 society have subserved the cause of geographical 

 discovery. The messengers and agents of the as- 

 sociation have added not a Httle to our know^ledgc 

 of Africa. Among these, Messrs. AVatt and 

 WiNPERBOTHAM dcscrvc to bc houourably mention- 

 ed. Their enterprising journey into the interior of 

 the country, and especially the information which 

 they furnished respecting the Foulah nation, en- 

 titles them to the thanks of every lover of huma- 

 nity and of science. 



New light, of a curious and interesting kind, has 

 also been thrown, during the period under review, 

 on the geography and condition of some of the 

 African Islands. For much of this information we 

 are indebted to Flacourt, Adanson, Rochon, 

 Mx\RioN, Cook, Grant, and Bernardin de St. 

 Pierre. Several of these gentlemen observed with 

 a philosophic eye, and communicated their know- 

 ledge with a scientific precision, which it may be 

 asserted are found with peculiar frequency among 

 modern travellers. 



A large portion of Europe was so well known, 

 antecedently to the comm.encement of the period 

 which we are considering, that geographical dis- 

 cover ies could scarcely have any place with respect 

 to it. But from this general remark must be 

 excepted the Empire of Russia, and Turkey in 

 pAirope. Concerning these important portions of 

 the globe, the last age has brought to light much 

 valuable information beyond what the most learned 

 of the preceding century possessed. 



When Peter the Great mounted the throne, the 

 Russian Enipire was, properly speaking, ranked 

 among the incognita of the earth. That celebrated 

 monarch early engaged in projects for exploring 

 the interior of his vast dominions, and developing 



