422 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



observe, that by returning to Europe now, I should be compro- 

 mising the interests of the Boyal Geographical Society, under 

 which I am in fact virtually serving." 



4. 



" To the Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, London. 



" Sir, — I have the honour to forward, for the information of 

 the President and members of the Expeditionary Committee, 

 a copy of a communication to my address from the Military 

 Secretary to the Court of Directors, together with my reply 

 thereto. On perusal of these documents, you will perceive that 

 my presence is urgently demanded in England to give evidence 

 on a Court-Martial, and that the letter desiring me to proceed 

 forthwith to England arrived too late in Egypt to admit of my 

 obeying that order. Were I now to proceed directly from 

 Bombay to England, it is evident that the Expedition vvliich I 

 am undertaking under your direction, must be deferred to a 

 future and uncertain date. With a view to obviate this 

 uncalled-for delay, I have the honour to request that you will 

 use your interest to the effect that, as an officer virtually in 

 your service, I may be permitted to carry out the views of your 

 Society ; and that my evidence, which can be of no importance 

 to either prosecutor or defendant in the Court-Martial in 

 question, may be dispensed with. I start this evening for 

 Bombay, and will report departure from that place. 



" I have, &c, 



" R. F. Burton. 



"Camp, Aden, 14th November, 1856." 



5. 



ii To the Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, London. 



et Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that on the 1st Dec. 

 1856, 1 addressed to you a letter which I hope has been duly re- 

 ceived. On the 2nd instant, in company with Lt. Speke, I 

 left Bombay Harbour, on board the H.E.I.C's. ship of war 

 6 Elpi 'tinstone 9 (Capt. Frushard, I.N., commanding), en route 

 to East Africa. I have little to report that may be interesting 

 to geographers ; but perhaps some account of political affairs in 

 the Bed Sea may be deemed worthy to be transmitted by you 

 to the Court of Directors or to the Foreign Office. 



" As regards the Expedition, copies of directions and a memo- 

 rand urn on instruments and observations for our guidance have 

 come to hand. For observations, Lt. Speke and I must depend 



