2 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
derecl on tlie Red and Mediterranean feas, the Romans con- 
fidered the other parts of this continent as a barren and ufelefs 
wafte, the pofTeffion of which could not increafe their glory; 
and they, therefore, willingly left it in its original obfcurity. 
Nor did the arms and arts of the victorious Arabians fpread 
conqueft and knowledge beyond the limits marked by the 
former conquerors of this country, which, from north to 
fouth, extended very little farther than Hx degrees, or three 
hundred and fixty miles. Even fo late as the fixteenth cen- 
tury, John Leo appears to have known fcarcely more than 
one half of this fedtion of the globe. Of the remainder, much 
has been fince that time difcovered, and much ftill remains 
unexplored. 
Thofe obje(9:s which ambition has In many inftances over- 
looked, or left unattempted, the no lefs a£live fpirit of 
induftry has adverted to, and attained. This has been in fome 
meafure the cafe with refped to Africa, but in a very con- 
fined degree. The hope of gain, which has led the fons of 
Europe to traverfe vaft oceans in fearch of diftant, and fome- 
times imaginary territories, has, in this part of the world, 
confined its operations to the coafl:, and the adjacent country. 
The gold duft, which rolls from the mountains, the ivory, 
and above all, the devoted vidlims of tyranny and avarice, 
have tempted the enterprifing mariner frequently to rev! fit 
fome part of its fhores. But here his curiofity, or his defire 
of gain, have been fatisfied, or at leaft were not fufficiently 
powerful to tempt him to explore a country where his profits 
were uncertain, and his fatigue and dangers unavoidable ; and 
