ACCOUNT OF THE 
taken, and that this circmnstauce was occasioned by a 
series of unforeseen delays arising from a great variety of 
causes. A slight difference in some of those accidents 
which retarded his progress to the Niger, might obviously 
have had a most material influence on the ultimate success 
of the expedition. Thus, for example, if he could have sailed 
for Africa immediately after receiving his official instruc- 
tiions, if his passage had been quicker, if fewer causes of 
delay had occurred on the coast and afterwards during the 
journey, and finally, if the rainy season, which is subject 
to some slight variations, had commenced a little later; — 
he might perhaps have been able to reach the banks of the 
Niger in good order, and with a loss comparatively small ; 
and in that case might have proceeded on his journey east- 
wards at the conclusion of the rainy season with some 
prospect of success. But the safe arrival of Park's expedition 
at the Niger, which was only just possible in the actual 
circumstances of the case, would have been morally certain 
provided he had sailed from England (as he ought to have 
done) before the month of October, and had been ready to 
take his departure from the Gambia towards the interior at 
the end of November ; from which time there is always an 
uninterrupted continuance of fine and healthy weather 
during a period of five months. 
Hence we may safely conclude that, supposing all rea- 
sonable precautions to be taken, an expedition similar to 
that of Park, may penetrate to the Niger and along the 
banks of that river as far as the eastern frontier of Bam- 
barra, in good order and with very little loss ; and this 
