442 mr park's second journey. 
pears doubtless to have been the most prudent 
course. Yet the censure of Park for not adopt- 
ing it has perhaps been carried too far. We al- 
lude not merely to the reluctance with which, in a 
state of mind so exalted and enthusiastic, he could 
resolve to suspend all his operations, and linger for 
six months on the shores of the Gambia ; but in 
fact he calculated, and upon very plausible grounds, 
that he might reach the Niger by the middle of 
June, the mere commencement of the rainy sea- 
son. He foresaw not the casualties by which his 
progress would be impeded, and probably was not 
aware of the frequency and fatal effects of the pre- 
vious tornadoes, no mention of which occurs in his 
first journey. On arriving at Pisania, it was found 
necessary to purchase a few additional asses, which, 
along with other arrangements, detained him for 
six days. He left Pisania on the 4th May, and 
arrived at Jindey on the 5th. Here he observed 
the process used for dyeing cotton cloths, of which 
there was a large manufactory. A ley is formed by 
filtrating water through the wood ashes of two spe- 
cies of Mimossa ; which is then poured into a pot, 
about a quarter filled with indigo leaves. After 
being frequently stirred, in the course of ten days, 
it affords the dye required. The operation is per- 
formed without any mordant, by merely dipping 
the cloth repeatedly in the liquid, and hanging it 
