' INTRODUCTION. xxiii 



it would be idle to conjecture ; it may reasonably be 

 concluded however, that if this intelligent traveller had 

 still been living, he would long ere now have hit upon some 

 expedient to make his situation known. 



It was hoped then, even should the immediate object of 

 the expedition up the Zaire not prove succesful, that some 

 more correct as well as more extensive information, re- 

 specting the regions through which it flows, would be the 

 result of it. Some doubt was entertained, in making pre- 

 parations for exploring the river, as to the kind of vessel 

 which might be found most suitable and convenient in all 

 respects to be employed on the occasion. Among other 

 qualifications, two were iudispensibly necessary ; first, that 

 she should draw but litle water ; and secondly, that she 

 should afford sufficient accommodations for the officers and 

 crew, for the Naturalists and their collections, besides an 

 ample supply of provisions and presents, without which there 

 is no getting on among the Africans. It was suggested by Sir 

 Joseph Banks, who, from the lively interest he invariably 

 takes, and the willing assistance he is ever ready to afford, 

 where the advancement of human knowledge is concerned, 

 was the first to be consulted on the present occasion, that 

 a steam engine might be found useful to impel the vessel 

 against the raj)id current of the river. Many reasons were 

 urged for and against the employment of a steam vessel. 

 If individuals both in Europe and America find it of ad- 

 vantage to avail themselves of the aid of this powerful 

 agent, it could not be less advantageous when employed 

 on the public service ; it would spare the men the labour 

 of rowing when the wind should be foul, or failed. Some 

 difficulties were started with regard to fuel, but these were 



