xvi 
ACCOUNT OF THE 
mission to publish his Travels for his own benefit ; and it 
was speedily announced, that a complete narrative of the 
journey would be prepared by Park himself, and given to 
the public. But in the mean time, in order to gratify, in a 
certain degree, the curiosity which prevailed, an Abstract, 
of the Travels, prepared from Park's own minutes, was 
drawn up by Mr. Bryan Edwards, secretary of the African 
Association, and was printed and distributed for the private 
use of the subscribers.* This Abstract, which was written 
with perspicuity and elegance, formed the principal 
ground-work of the Book of Travels which was subse- 
quently published. 
To the Abstract or Narrative, thus circulated, was an- 
nexed an important Memoir by Major Rennell, consisting 
of geographical illustrations of Park's Journey, which 
afterwards, by that gentleman's permission, formed a 
valuable appendage to the quarto edition of the Travels. 
After his return from Africa, Park remained for a con- 
siderable time stationary in London, and was diligently 
employed in arranging the materials for his intended pub- 
lication. He had frequent occasion, also, to communicate 
on the subject of his discoveries with the members of the 
African Association, especially with Major Rennell and 
Mr. Edwards, whilst they were engaged in preparing the 
two Memoirs before alluded to. With Mr. Edwards, in 
particular, he seems to have lived on terms of great friend- 
ship, and to have occasionally paid him visits at his 
country residence near Southampton. 
It was nearly about this time (the Spring of the year 
* Proceedings of African Association. Vol. I. p. 327. 
