PROPiDSAL. 333 



found myself compelled to retrace my steps at a moment 

 when a prize of such value was apparently withm my 

 g-rasp. 



Feeling- an irresistible desire to extend my acquaintance 

 with Africa, and still further to assist in filling' up the 

 chasm which is yet to be supplied in her g-eo^raphy, and 

 having" already upon my private means, without any pre- 

 vious experience in African travelling*, and at a most un- 

 favourable conjunctui'e, safely accomplished a long* and 

 perilous journey among* savag-e tribes, I now venture to 

 make, throug'h the Bombay Society, an offer of my services 

 to the Eoyal Geog-raphical Society j and being- fully confi- 

 dent that unrestricted by time, with a due reg'ard to the 

 seasons, aided by the knowledge I have already acquired, 

 I should experience little difficulty in penetrating* to the 

 Lake in question, I beg* to volunteer to make the attempt, 

 and earnestly to solicit the support and recommendation of 

 the Society here, to which I have the honour to belong*, in 

 favour of the object which I have in view. Coming* from 

 the Royal Geog-raphical Society, there can, I think, be 

 but little doubt that an application for my services for such 

 a purpose would be met by the Honourable the Court of 

 Directors with their accustomed and well-known liberality 

 as a public body, and with a spirit not likely to prove in- 

 jurious to my personal interests. 



In conclusion, allow me to say that I am ready to 



