PREFACE. Vll 



As I consider the happiness of my fellow-crea- 

 tures ought to be the great end of all enterprise, 

 and as the misery I witnessed made a great im- 

 pression on my mind, I shall offer no apology for 

 having, in the concluding chapter, stated freely 

 and unreservedly my opinions and sentiments 

 regarding Africa ! — perhaps their chief value 

 consists in their having been formed upon the 

 spot. 



If the publication of these Narratives advances 

 the cause of African civilisation in the slightest 

 degree, I shall consider the money, the time, and 

 the life that has been lost, as in some degree 

 compensated. 



Mr. Oldfield having returned to the coast of 

 Africa, his Journal has not had the advantage of 

 his supervision while passing through the press. 



MACGREGOR LAIRD. 

 London, \st June, 1837. 



