LIFE OF MUNGO PARK. 
XXXV 
circle, of vvJiicb Hume, Smitb, Black, and Robertson, were 
the principal ornaments. At the venerable age of niiietj- 
one, be is still living, the last survivor of that illustrioos 
society. 
The friendship of a man thus interesting and distin- 
guished, was highly honourable to Park, who was duly sen- 
sible of its value. Nor was this instance singular. The 
papers transmitted by his family speak of other testimonies 
of respect, which, subsequently to Park's return to Scotland 
4 in 1799, he received from various distinguished individuals 
of his own country ; and they mention, in particular, that 
he was very highly gratified by some personal attentions 
which he received about this time from Mr. Dugald 
In the midst of these occupations Park's thoughts were 
still turned upon Africa. Soon after the signature of the 
Preliminary Articles of Peace with France, in October, 1801, 
he received a letter from Sir Joseph Banks, acquainting 
him, " that in consequence of the Peace, the Association 
" would certainly revive their project of sending a mission 
" to Africa ; in order to penetrate to, and navigate, the 
" Niger ; and he added, that in case Government should 
" enterinto the plan. Park would certainlybe recommended 
" as the person proper to be employed for carrying it into 
" execution." But the business remained for a consider- 
able time in suspense ; nor did any specific proposal follow 
this communication till the autumn of the year 1803 ; 
when he received a letter addressed to him from the Office 
of the Colonial Secretary of State, desiring his attendance 
without delay. On his arrival in London he had an inter- 
