458 
park's second journey. 
in Scotland, he had formed an intimate acquain- 
tance with a Mr Maxwell, who, as a trader, had 
frequented the coast of Congo, and particularly 
the mouth of the river which bears the name of 
that kingdom ; a grand natural feature, which, 
from the little intercourse maintained with this 
part of Africa, had been nearly forgotten in Eu- 
rope. As the two friends compared their remarks 
on the rivers which had come respectively under 
their observation, of one of which, the termi- 
nation — of the other, the source— was unknown ; 
the hypothesis very naturally arose, that those 
two might be one only ; that the Niger, after a 
circuitous course through central Africa, might, 
by the channel of the Congo, discharge its waters 
into the Atlantic. Neither Park nor Maxwell 
were men of speculation ; but when such char- 
acters do speculate, it is always with a confidence 
and enthusiasm unknown to those to whom such 
an operation of mind is familiar. The idea was 
soon ripened in the mind of Park into the fullest 
and firmest conviction ; and, with reference to it, 
the whole plan of his expedition was arranged. 
He proposed to proceed into Bambarra by nearly 
his former route ; there to construct two boats 
40 feet long, 8 feet broad, and drawing 9li feet 
of water. With these vessels he was to navigate 
downwards into Wangara ; and, as he hoped, 
thence onward to Congo. He admitted, that, if 
