LIFE OF MUNGO PARK. 
xxix 
From these observations, combined with the several 
facts before stated, it seems clearly to follow, that Mr. 
Edwards had a large share in Park's work ; and, without 
attempting to ascertain in what degree he assisted in the 
composition, it may safely be affirmed that the assistance 
afforded was considerable and important.* 
It would be a subject of sincere regret to the author of 
this biographical sketch, if he thought that this opinion 
(which he does not feel himself at liberty to suppress,) was 
likely to detract in any material degree from Park's well- 
earned reputation. But he is satisfied that there is no just 
cause for such an apprehension. It is unquestionably 
raore or less marked with some of the characteristics of Mr. Edwards's st>le, and, 
in particular, with that tendency to ambitious ornament, which is so conspicuous 
in many parts of the History of the West Indies. — The following extract from 
Park's chapter on the state of Slavery in Africa, may be sufficient. " In a coun- 
try divided into a thousand petty states, mostly independent, and jealous of 
" each other, where every freeman is accustomed to arms, and fond of military 
" acliievements ; where the youth who has practised the bow and spear from his 
" infancy, longs for nothing so much as an opportunity to display his valour, it 
" is natural to imagine, that wars frequently originate from very frivolous pro- 
" vocation. When one nation is more powerful than another, a pretext is 
" seldom vranting for commencing hostilites. Thus, the war between Kajaaga 
*' and Kasson \ras occasioned by the detention of a fugitive slave : — that between 
" Bambarra and Kaarta by the loss of a few cattle. Other cases of the same 
" nature perpetually occur, in which the folly or mad ambition of their 
princes and the zeal of their religious enthusiasts give full employment for 
" the scythe of desolation." Park's Travels, p. 290.)— On reading this passage, 
and the chapter from which it is taken, it may deserve to be remarked, (with 
reference to former observations as to the bias luider which Park's work was 
written) that in enumerating the causes of the wars which desolate Africa, the 
Slave Trade is never once mentioned. 
* See Appendix. No. III. 
