INTERTR OPICL AFRICA. 



117 



hard to penetrate from without, and soft within ; 

 an individual of the earth,' self-isolated by its 

 savagery from the rest of the world. This is 

 especially true of intertropical Africa. 



The western coast was, until the last four 

 centuries, cut off from intercourse with mankind 

 by the storm-lashed waters of the northern ap- 

 proach; and to the present day the unbroken 

 seaboard, so scanty in good harbours, and the 

 dangerous bars and bores which defend the 

 deadly river mouths, render it the least pro- 

 gressive part of the old world. 



The more fortunate north-eastern and sub- 

 tropical shores were enabled by their vast cre- 

 vasse, the Red and riveiiess Sea, to communicate 

 with Western Asia, whilst the rich productions, 

 gold and ivory, tortoise-shell and ambergris, the 

 hot sensuous climate — which even now induces 

 the northern sailor to ship in the fatal West 

 African squadron — and the amene scenery of the 

 equatorial regions, invited, during pre-historic 

 ages, merchants, and even immigrants, from 

 rugged Persia and sterile Arabia. 



Between the two upper coasts, eastern and 

 western, there is, as might be expected, great 

 similarity of grim aspect. The northern sea- 

 boards offer, for the space of a thousand miles, 



