p24i PLANS FOR EXPLORING AFRICA. 
in organizing the means by which no portion of 
the globe may be left unexplored. Fatal and 
tragic as had been the issue of Park's last expedi- 
tion, it had tended only to excite higher expecta- 
tions, and an interest still more exalted, respect- 
ing those vast regions into which he had plunged, 
never to return. The splendid and imposing hy- 
pothesis which he had zealously adopted, and 
which was supported by several of the most emi- 
nent geographical inquirerSj roused a new curio- 
sity, and gave a grander character to that geogra- 
phical problem, which it had been the main object 
of African discovery to solve. There was truly 
nothing in the history of Park's failure, to discou- 
rage the hope of success in a future expedition, 
provided it should avoid the obvious errors into 
which he was betrayed by a too arduous and 
impetuous zeal. 
Influenced by these enlightened views, the 
British Government determined to put out its 
full strength in an effort to complete at once the 
exploration of Africa. This was proposed to be 
effected by two expeditions, one of which should 
ascend the Congo or Zaire, and ascertain if pos- 
sible its connexion with the Niger j the other, 
following Park's route, and descending the Niger, 
would, in case of the hypothesis proving correct, 
m^et the other, and the two return united. The 
fitting out of the naval armament w^as intrust- 
