xii 
PREFACE. 
although these treaties may not turn out to be 
of great immediate utihty, it is always worth 
while that future explorers should know, that 
on the borders of Lake Tchad there is a power 
which professes to be united with England in 
formal ties of friendship, and that the Sultan 
of Bornou has never shown any disposition to 
break his promises or secede from his engage- 
ments. As to the question, whether legitimate 
commerce can advantageously be carried on 
across the Sahara, and substituted for the 
frightful traffic in human beings, I do not 
consider that it is as yet decided; but Mr. 
Richardson's researches will throw great light 
on this interesting subject. 
I do not intend here to attempt an account 
of the services rendered by Mr. Richardson to 
the sciences of geography and ethnography during 
his useful career. At some future period, no 
doubt, this task will be performed ; and it will 
not fail to be added, that he was always im- 
pelled by a higher motive than the mere satis- 
faction of curiosity or ambition. A profound 
conviction that something might be done to- 
wards ameliorating the condition of the African 
nations, if we were only better acquainted with 
