LIFE OF MUNGO PARK. 
xciii 
by the aid even of a small and ill organized force under 
circumstances the most unfavourable, the question as to 
the expediency of a military escort may now be said to be 
determined. 
The sufferings of Park during his former journey, and 
the melancholy fate of Major Houghton, Mr. Home— 
man, and other travellers distinguished by their enter- 
prise and ability, demonstrate the utter hopelessness of 
such undertakings, when attempted by solitary and unpro- 
tected individuals. Even if the two schemes of discovery 
were equally practicable, the military plan (supposing 
always that the force employed is strictly limited to the 
purposes of security and protection) would on several ac« 
counts be entitled to a decided preference ; inasmuch as it 
affords more ample means of observation and enquiry, as 
it is calculated to inspire the Africans with a greater respect 
for the European character, and as it may be rendered far 
more efficacious for the purposes of friendly and commercial 
intercourse.* 
• If the practice of sending out single individuals on journies of discovery 
into Africa is still to be continued, it would be better perhaps to employ Maho" 
metan travellers, who might accompany some of the great caravans. The dan- 
gers, to which European adventurers are alv.ays exposed, from the ferocity and 
intolerance of the Moors, would thus in a considerable degree be avoided. There 
is reason to believe that individuals sufficiently intelligent for an expedition of 
this kind, and whose constitutions would also be well suited to the climate of 
Africa, might be found without much difficulty among the Mahometan inhabi- 
tants of Hindostan. If a fair judgment can be formed of this class of the British 
subjects from the Travels of Abu Taleb (the genuine and highly interesting 
production of a native Mahometan of the East Indies), a very favourable opinion 
must be entertained of their intelligence and general infornmtion. 
