CHAPTER V. 
THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION. 
Institution of the Association. — Ledyard. — Lucas. — Description 
of Fezzan, Bornou, and Cashna. — Watt and Winterbottoms 
Journey to Foota Jallo. — Major Houghton, 
The year I788 formed an entirely new era in the 
annals of African discovery. It was no longer 
from motives of interest only, if not of plunder 
and violence, that its secrets were explored. An 
association was formed of men eminent for rank 
and wealth, and still more distinguished by their 
zeal in the cause of science and humanity. The 
object was simple ; — to promote the discovery of 
the inland parts of Africa, and thus to wipe off 
the disgrace, which a profound ignorance of those 
vast regions had so long thrown on the civilized 
nations of Europe. The plan was, to find out per- 
sons, qualified by enterprise and intelligence, to 
be employed in these scientific missions ; and as 
funds were necessary for this purpose, each indi- 
vidual agreed to subscribe a certain annual sum. 
The management of the funds, — the choice of the 
persons to be sent on discovery, — and the requi- 
