PREFACE. 
It was at first my intention, when I set out for the 
interior of Western Africa, to explore anew the coun- 
tries which Mungo Park had visited ; but being soon con- 
vinced of the impossibiHty of making discoveries, or even 
of travelling at all in that quarter, I resolved to strike out a 
new track ; and after penetrating into the continent, I followed 
a line parallel to the meridian. The regions which I had to 
traverse in pursuing this direction, were almost unknown, 
and afforded scope for observations equally numerous and 
interesting. Thus the result answered my expectations, and 
I attained, in a great measure, the object which I had in view. 
Well-informed persons to whom I communicated the notes 
made in my journal, encouraged me to arrange them and to 
publish a narrative of the events, which during my enter prize 
had involved me in so many dangers. From the following 
