AFRICA. . , 
all the fecrets of my heart ; and this predilec- 
tion, which I cannot forego for the remote 
aflylum in which I am deftined to take up my 
refidence by her fide, is an additional homage 
that I render to the people ftill worthy of praG« 
tifmg her leflbns. 
Land of repofe, of ignorance, and of felicity; 
land that without toil haft fo long nourifhed 
me; ye filent rocks, where I depofited all re- 
membrance, and all regret of the pail ; ye ia« 
thanting folitudes, troubled by no figh, and 
foiled by no tyranny ; fhould foine Frenchman 
chance to wander upon your borders, open to 
him your delightful retreats, and render ftill 
more auguft the ineftimable bleffing which 
his exertions have obtained for him ! 
I was fcarcely returned to the Cape of Good- 
Hope when my thoughts already turned upon 
another excurfion. Sixteen months inceifantly 
occupied in travelling and hunting, had nei- 
ther cooled my zeal, nor accompHflied my 
wiChes. The paffion of increafmg my know- 
ledge in natural hiftory became every day more 
imperious, and feemed to acquire ftrength from 
the multitude of objeds I had collefted. My 
fatigues were no foonerat an end, than the re- 
membrance of them eiided alfo. Finding my- 
\ B 2 kl£ 
