350 REMARKS ON TRAVELS 
formation which appears to be equally new and certain, 
and fit, probably, to direct the calculations of speculators, 
or the efforts of the European governments. We have 
yet but a vague knowledge of the actual degree of the 
riches of the mines of Boure, and the quantity of gold 
now circulating in commerce ; but there can be no doubt 
that it abounds in this part of Africa. We know for 
certain that this rich country is a hundred and twenty or 
a hundred and forty leagues in a straight line from the 
establishments of the Gambia and the Senegal. If we 
could, at some future day, open a direct communication, 
we should avoid the journey from Boure to Sego, from 
Sego to Djenne, thence to Timbuctoo, and afterwards 
to Morocco, across the great desert 3 not only should we 
thus shorten the road by at least four hundred leagues in a 
direct line*, but we should escape the cupidity of the 
Moors and the Jews, who appropriate the largest part of 
the profits, and also the ferocity of the predatory Arabs 
of the desert. At a trifling sacrifice, and in a short time 
this result might be obtained, if but a small part of those 
efforts were consecrated to it, which are absolutely 
wasted upon less useful objects. But, whatever the 
consequence may be, geography and the genius of 
discovery will have had the merit of pointing out a source 
* From Tangier to Timbuctoo, 450 leagues in a direct line; from 
Timbuctoo to Boure 200 leagues, total 650 leagues ; with the return 
1300. From St. Louis to Caignon 1 10 leagues ; from Caignon to Boure 
120; total 230, and with the return 460 : difference in a direct line, 
420, and with the return 840. 
