LIFE OF MUNGO PARK. 
xxvii 
and in a great measure dependent, as to tbe prospects of 
his future life, upon the success of his intended publication. 
His friend and adviser, Mr. Edwards, was a man oi* letters 
and of the world, who held a distinguished place in society, 
and was, besides, a leading member of the African Asso- 
ciation, to which Park owed every thing, and with which 
his fate and fortunes were still intimately connected. Tt is 
difficult to estimate the degree of authority which a person 
possessing these advantages, and of a strong and decisive 
character, must necessarily have had over the mind of a 
young man in the situation which has now been described. 
Suggestions coming from such a quarter, must have been 
almost equivalent to commands ; and instead of animad' 
V€rting very severely on the extent of Park's compliances, 
we ought perhaps rather to be surprised, that more was 
not yielded to an influence which must have been nearly 
unlimited. 
Before we dismiss this subject, it may be proper to add, 
that some time subsequent to the publication of his Tra- 
vels, Park appeared to be fully sensible that the manner 
in which he had treated the question of the Slave Trade, 
was liable to some objections; and evidence now exists, 
that upon some occasions when his authority had been ap- 
pealed to as being favourable to that system, he expressed 
his regret that an improper stress had been laid upon cer- 
tain passages in his Travels, and that a meaning had been 
attributed to them, which it was not intended that they 
should bear. 
It remains to be enquired, whether there is any just 
foundation for the opinion which has prevailed v»^ith regard 
to the degree of assistance given by Mr. Edwards in the 
